IT202300002502A1 - IMPROVED COMPRESSED AIR CONNECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

Title: Improved Compressed Air Connection System

Scope of the invention

The present invention relates to an improved compressed air connection system preferably of the type for use in a centralized compressed air distribution system.

State of the art analysis

Compressed air lends itself to several useful applications. For example, in the form of jets or air blades generated by special accessories, it is used to clean surfaces and gaps, especially those with a complex geometry (and therefore difficult to clean in any other way), but also to atomize paints in pneumatic paint sprayers.

In industries or workshops, compressed air is an important and well-integrated component of many production processes and for this reason it is conveyed through appropriate centralized systems. In summary, these systems include: a pneumatic circuit kept under pressure by a compressor; circuit termination points or sockets, pneumatically isolated from the outside, structured in such a way as to allow the connection of accessories dedicated to the various uses such as guns, tubes, nozzles, sprayers for painting.

Despite their potential usefulness, centralized compressed air systems are not very common in residential or tertiary contexts, so much so that in these contexts today compressed air is only available in the form of a portable compressor connected to a spiral tube. The compressor is usually located in the garage, and is therefore inconvenient to transport inside the premises and often dirty. Furthermore, it is quite noisy and this generates discomfort due to the inevitable proximity of the compressor to the operator during use.

In a centralized compressed air system, the compressor is instead relegated to a remote technical room, and is connected, via nylon tubes housed in an electrical corrugated tube, to one or more strategically placed wall sockets, thus obtaining a practical and comfortable use of the centralized system.

The centralized system, in addition to powering the various compressed air accessories such as sprayers for painting walls and other devices, becomes practical for blowing movable objects such as drawers, PCs, computer keyboards, various furnishings and fixed objects such as spotlights, mosquito nets, filters, electrical switches, gaps and various other points often inaccessible to the vacuum cleaner, thus ensuring a deep and thorough cleaning. Furthermore, it is also a practical tool for the outside for example for blowing the inside of the car, for cleaning bicycles, motorcycles, or inflating tires, small swimming pools, inflatable toys or other.

In summary, the use of compressed air in different applications depends on the type of accessory. In this regard, the connection system of the different accessories to the wall sockets in a centralized compressed air system is a critical factor that limits its diffusion in the residential or tertiary context.

A known connection system, relevant to the present invention, comprises a female-type quick-connect fitting and a male-type quick-connect fitting.

Currently, to release the known quick-release couplings of compressed air systems, or portable compressors, it is necessary to exert considerable force and pressure with the fingers of the hand and the forearm, so this operation can in fact only be carried out by qualified personnel. In practice, the release operation requires the following steps: first the operator grasps the ring nut of the female quick-release coupling (the socket) with the thumb and forefinger of the hand, while the other fingers (middle, ring and little finger) grasp the male quick-release coupling to release the two couplings; then, using the thumb and forefinger, pressure is exerted on the ring nut of the socket, pushing it frontally and thus separating the two male and female couplings; at the same time, the other fingers collect the male quick-release coupling just released from the air hose.

A second limitation of the known compressed air connection systems is linked to the fact that a socket, or a point of extraction of compressed air from the centralized system, cannot be adequately installed in the so-called 502, 503, 504 or 505 boxes used for the installation of switch modules, electrical or data sockets.

In fact, these known types of boxes do not have the depth and height required to create a centralized compressed air system. Furthermore, while in electrical sockets the box embedded in the wall is closed with screws of variable length depending on the depth of the box's installation with respect to the wall edge (generally modular to attach, for example, switches) on which a finishing plate is fixed with a snap-fit, in the case of compressed air sockets this measure is not feasible. All this represents a problem because the installation depth is established during the system design phase but changes can be made during the work (e.g. thicker plaster than initially planned) which inevitably mean that the compressed air socket is recessed or protrudes from the wall. A compressed air socket protruding from the wall is not only unsightly, but also impractical because it could be accidentally damaged. Therefore, for the reasons stated above, there is still room for improving the structure of the devices to allow the connection of accessories or pipes to wall sockets of a centralized compressed air system in order to allow the use of such systems by anyone and their installation also in residential contexts.

Detailed description of the invention

Purposes of the invention

Starting from the limitations of the products known to the current state of the art, the present invention intends to overcome them in a complete manner by providing an improved connection system for compressed air of the type for use in a centralized compressed air distribution system. Therefore, the first and main purpose of the present invention is to create a connection system for compressed air capable of allowing anyone to release the male and female quick-release couplings, for example a compressed air gun from a sampling point pneumatically connected to a compressed air source.

Another important aim is to create a connection system suitable for use in centralized residential compressed air distribution systems of the type comprising one or more sampling points in the form of recessed wall sockets, each of which includes a quick-fit, preferably female, connection. This aim includes the possibility of being configured in an aesthetically pleasing manner and of being coordinated with wall switches and electrical sockets of any commercial range.

Another important goal is to create a connection system that is characterized by ease and flexibility in installation even during construction.

Finally, a further task of the present invention is to provide a connection system that can be produced simply and economically using known technologies.

These and other purposes, which will become clearer later, are achieved by a compressed air connection system of the type for use in a centralized compressed air distribution system comprising an innovative deactivating component which, as will be explained in detail below, allows: first, to facilitate the removal of a male coupling from a compressed air socket; then, to create sockets, or compressed air sampling points, which can be enclosed in boxes to be built into the wall while maintaining the same design standards as electrical switches inserted in electrical sockets. This connection system is defined in its essential characteristics by the enclosed claim 1 and in its detailed characteristics by the corresponding dependent claims. The aforementioned claims, to which reference is made for the sake of brevity, are specifically and concretely defined below and are intended to be an integral part of this description.

Description of the figures

Further features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of two preferred but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated for indicative and non-limitative purposes in the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1A shows the deactivator of the connection system according to the invention in a front view;

- Figure 1B is an internal view of the deactivator of the connection system according to the invention;

- Figure 1C schematically illustrates the method of inserting the deactivator onto the ring nut of the first fitting, in the form of a quick-fit fitting, highlighting the thickness of the ring nut where a part of the deactivator rests;

- Figure 1D shows the first quick-connect fitting and the section of the deactivator according to the invention inserted in the ring nut with the alignment thickness highlighted; - Figure 1E presents a front view of the deactivator inserted in the first quick-connect fitting, aligned or with a slight aesthetic protrusion or recess;

- Figure 2A shows a typical standard electrical socket of a known type with the hole covers and the finishing plate;

- Figure 2B shows the connection system according to the invention installed in a wall-mounted socket substantially identical to the standard electrical socket in Figure 2A;

- Figure 2C is the socket in Figure 2B with the quick-fit male fitting inserted into the corresponding female fitting;

- Figure 3A illustrates the socket body with deactivator inserted in the ring nut of the first fitting, integrated with the known regulation components and the compressed air fittings; - Figure 3B illustrates a known type of wall-mounted box in which the connection system according to the invention is installed, highlighting the piping of the centralized system containing the compressed air pipes;

- Figure 3C is a sectional view of the box in Figure 3B;

- Figure 3D shows a hole-covering mask to be used in combination with the deactivator according to the invention;

- Figure 3E shows a known type of box support;

- Figure 3F illustrates a finishing plate of a known type;

- Figure 4 shows the quick-fit male and female fitting of the connection system according to the invention.

Preferred embodiment

The present invention concerns a compressed air connection system of the type for use in a centralized distribution system equipped with one or more compressed air collection points.

In the preferred embodiment, described here and illustrated in the attached figures by way of example and not limitation of the present invention, the compressed air collection points are a plurality of sockets recessed into the wall.

In this preferred embodiment, with reference to the attached Figure 3C, said system comprises:

- a first fitting (2) of the quick-fit type, pneumatically connected, at one internal end, to a first conduit (18), and at the other to a ring nut (3) slidingly constrained to the first fitting (2);

- a second fitting (14) of the quick-fit type, pneumatically connected to a second conduit (13), where the second fitting (14) is wrapped, at least partially, by a knob (12).

The first duct (18) is pneumatically connected via a distribution network to a suitably positioned compressed air source, while the second connection (14) is pneumatically connected, via the so-called "operating tube", straight or spiral, to a compressed air accessory, for example an air gun.

The connection system according to the invention is characterised by the fact that it further includes a deactivator (1) or a component that makes it easier for anyone to release the male quick coupling from the wall socket for compressed air by simply pressing the fingers on the visible surface of the deactivator.

In the preferred embodiment, by way of example and not limitation of the present invention, the first fitting (2) is of the female type and is part of the wall socket, while the second fitting (14), i.e. the plug, is of the male type and is part of the compressed air accessory. It is however evident that the first fitting (2) could be of the male type and the second fitting (14) of the female type.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in drawings 1A and 1B, the deactivator (1) is defined by two hollow cylinders coaxial with each other externally connected by a circular crown having a visible surface (17). Said deactivator (1) also comprises:

- a protruding part (5) which develops internally to the internal hollow cylinder and is configured in such a way as to offer support for a stop element (4) of the ring nut (3);

- an alignment shim (6) for said first fitting (2).

As illustrated in drawing 1D, the deactivator (1) is inserted in support of the stop element (4) of said ring nut (3) by means of the protruding part (5). The insertion method is illustrated schematically in the attached Figure 1C.

In the preferred embodiment, described here as an example and not as a limitation of the present invention, the thickness (6) is chosen so that the external surface (17) is aligned with respect to the first quick-fit connection (2).

However, for aesthetic reasons, this thickness can also be chosen so that the first fitting (2) has a slight protrusion (7), or recess, with respect to the external surface (17). Preferably, the thickness (6) is chosen so that the first fitting (2) is flush with the hole cover cap (9), approximately 1 mm below.

In the preferred embodiment, described here as an example and not as a limitation of the present invention, the first fitting (2) equipped with the ring nut (3) is a known product of the type shown in Figure 4.

Essentially, in such known type fittings (2), the ring nut (3) is slidably constrained to the body of the first fitting (2) so that a movement in the direction of the arrow (8) allows the first fitting (2) to pass from a coupling position to a release position. In the coupling position, the first fitting (2), by means of appropriate means, is mechanically and pneumatically connected to the second fitting (14), while in the release position no force opposes the separation of the two fittings (2,14).

By releasing the ring nut (3), for example by the action of a spring, the movement occurs in the opposite direction to that of the arrow (8), and therefore the first fitting (2) passes from a release position to a coupling position.

In the preferred embodiment, described here as an example and not as a limitation of the present invention, once assembled the deactivator (1) takes on the appearance illustrated in the attached Figure 1E.

For greater clarity, in this specification the term "socket body" indicates the connection system assembly consisting of: the first fitting (2) with the ring nut (3) and the stop element (4); the deactivator (1) with the protruding part (5) and the alignment spacer (6); the hole cover cap (9); the finishing plate (10). With reference to the Figure 3A unit, the socket body is identified with the reference (19).

Furthermore, the terms "external" (or "exposed") and "internal" referring to components of the system according to the invention refer, respectively, to the part exiting or entering from the wall where the socket is installed.

In the preferred embodiment, described here as an example and not a limitation of the present invention, the compressed air connection system is enclosed in a box (15). In the first preferred embodiment, this box (15) is intended to be built into the wall. However, "surface mounted" installations are possible, for example in the case of technical rooms, garages with concrete walls.

With reference to the unit Figure 3C, the compressed air intake body (19) is connected to a curved fitting where in turn the tube arriving from the compressor is connected which passes through an inlet (16) with a suitably developed conical shaped seat which allows greater bending of the tube (18) during the adjustment of the depth of the intake body (19).

Other known solutions can however be adopted, for example a linear fitting to connect the compressed air pipe of the system entering from the bottom of the box.

If the box (15) is recessed into the finished wall, it is necessary, for aesthetic and functional reasons, to adjust the positioning of the socket (2) to ensure that it is aligned flush with the hole cover mask (9), or with the protrusion of the electrical modules of the other light points present in the same room.

In fact, the compressed air outlet must be fixed to the bottom of the box, and therefore in the installation phase, unlike what happens with the light points of electrical systems in which the electrical/data socket modules or switches are attached to a special modular frame which rests on the wall and is fixed to the box recessed into the wall using screws of variable length depending on the depth of the box itself.

In other words, the location of the compressed air socket in the box must be defined a priori in the system definition phase, and this does not guarantee the installation of the socket "flush with the plaster" if changes are subsequently made during the installation, for example if plaster of a different thickness is applied than that initially planned.

For this reason, in the preferred embodiment the compressed air connection system includes means for regulating the positioning of the socket body inside the box (15). By way of example and not as a limitation of the present invention, such means are illustrated in the attached Figure 3C and include:

- a first flange (20) fixed to the box (15) or directly to the wall, to stabilize the socket body (19):

- a second flange (21) fitted onto partially threaded pins (22,22?), suitable for adjusting the position of the socket body (19) within the box (15); where said pins (22,22?) are anchored to said first flange (20);

- one or more flanged nuts (23,23?) to lock the position of said second flange (21) of the socket body (19) within the box (15).

Advantageously, the partial threading of the pins (22,22?) determines a fixed reference point to better define the adjustment of the depth of the socket body (19). Finally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is intended as an example and not a limitation of the same, the compressed air connection system includes a hole-covering mask (9) and a finishing plate (10). These components, illustrated in drawings 3C and 3D, have the task of hiding from view the box (15) and the relative hole in the wall inside which said box (15) is embedded.

As shown in Figure 3D, this hole-covering mask (9) has a circular slit from which the deactivator (1) emerges. However, the slit in the hole-covering mask (9) can take on shapes other than a circular shape, for example square, triangular, oval, polyhedral.

The hole cover mask (9) and the finishing plate (10) are fixed to the box (15) by means of a special support of a known type, for example a 503 type support like the one illustrated in drawing 3E, according to methods completely similar to those used to create a light point of an electrical system.

As previously mentioned, by means of the deactivator (1), anyone can release the second fitting (14) from the first fitting (2). In this regard, ?modest pressure? means the pressure that a common non-specialized operator, including a woman or a child or an elderly person, is able to exert without any particular effort. The connection/release of the male fitting (14) from the wall socket occurs in the following way. When the second fitting (14) is inserted into the socket body (19), the ring nut (3) advances by approximately 3-4 mm in the direction indicated by the arrow (8) and the deactivator (1) moves to the ?operational? position, in which the deactivator (1), remaining supported by the ring nut (3), protrudes from the hole cover cap (9) by approximately 3-4 mm.

To release the second fitting (12) it is sufficient to apply a modest pressure on the surface (17) of the deactivator (1). Since the protruding part (5) of the deactivator (1) is always resting on the ring nut (3), the deactivator (1) is pushed towards the inside of the hole cover cap (9) and causes the ring nut (3) to slide for approximately 3-4 mm, in the direction indicated by the arrow (8), and therefore the passage of the first fitting (2) from the hook position to the release position, thus releasing the knob (12) of the male fitting (14).

Once the male fitting (14) has been released, the deactivator (1) returns to the "rest" position, i.e. aligned with the hole cover mask (9), and the first fitting (2) returns to the hook-up position (obviously no pressure must be exerted on the visible surface of the deactivator).

In both cases, the knob (12) of the second fitting (14) simplifies the connection operations on the corresponding first fitting (2) and makes the grip aesthetically pleasing.

In this way, the deactivator (1) allows you to:

- release the second fitting (14) by applying a modest pressure on the external surface (17) of the deactivator (1), when said fittings (2,14) are connected;

- align the first fitting (2) flush with the hole cover mask, eliminating the unsightly and cumbersome protrusion of at least 15/20mm which, in the absence of the deactivator, would be necessary to allow the operator to grip and release the second fitting (14).

The present inventor has verified how the new compressed air connection system described above advantageously determines two technical effects.

First of all, from the description provided, it will be evident to the expert in the field that the new connection system, thanks to the deactivator, allows anyone, including children, the elderly, women and unqualified users to unhook the male quick-connect fitting from the corresponding first fitting, typically included in a wall socket, by simply pressing the fingers on the external surface of the deactivator.

The second effect found by the inventor, the shape and design of the connection system according to the invention is designed to be aesthetically coordinated with standard electrical sockets of the known type for wall mounting by attaching the same electrical plates used for switches; allowing the flush-fitting of the mask, hole cover cap/plate. Furthermore, the system according to the invention is configured to be flush-fitting of the module/plate, avoiding a protrusion of at least 15-20 mm, which in the absence of the deactivator is essential to allow the operator to grip the socket and release the male coupling.

Finally, thanks to the fact that the finishing plate (9) is removable, the aesthetics of the wall-mounted sockets of the centralized compressed air distribution system can be made uniform with that of the wall sockets or switches that are part of electrical and/or home automation installations. Furthermore, in the case of painting or restoring the walls, the finishing plate can be easily removed without having to request the intervention of a qualified technician.

It will be clear to the expert in the sector that the components of the connection system described above allow the creation of a centralized compressed air system in residential and tertiary building contexts where, for practical and aesthetic reasons, wall-mounting and coordination with the design of the electrical switches are preferred.

Another embodiment

The present invention concerns a compressed air connection system of the type for use in a compressed air machine, for example a compressor.

Compared to the previous embodiment, in this case the connection system does not serve to facilitate the disconnection of an accessory from a collection point of a centralized compressed air distribution system, but rather from a compressed air machine, for example a compressor or from a tank.

In the second embodiment, described here by way of example and not as a limitation of the invention, the deactivator (1) has the same characteristics and operating methods as those already described.

Other modifications will be apparent to the person skilled in the art based on the preceding embodiment and the actual implementation of the invention.

Conclusions

In practice, it has been found that the invention thus described achieves the intended aim and purposes. The description of the preferred embodiment given here is purely by way of example and is not limitative of the present invention. In fact, it will be evident to the expert in the field that numerous variations are possible, all falling within the general scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, any modification of the present invention that falls within the scope and scope of the claims that follow is considered part of the present invention. Where the features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been placed for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and consequently such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims (8)

Claims 1) Compressed air connection system comprising: - a first fitting (2) of the quick-fit type, pneumatically connected, at one internal end, to a first duct (18), and at the other to a ring nut (3) slidingly constrained to the first fitting (2), said first duct (18) being pneumatically connected to a source of compressed air; - a second fitting (14) of the quick-fit type, pneumatically connected to a second conduit (13), where said second fitting (14) is wrapped, at least partially, by a knob (12), said second conduit (13) being pneumatically connected to a compressed air accessory. said system characterised by the fact that it further includes a deactivator (1) defined by two coaxial hollow cylinders externally connected by a circular crown having an external surface (17), said deactivator (1) comprising: - a protruding part (5) which develops internally to the internal hollow cylinder and is configured so as to offer support for a stop element (4) of said ring nut (3); - an alignment shim (6) for said first fitting (2), said deactivator (1) which is inserted in support on the stop element (4) by means of the protruding part (5), said deactivator (1) which is configured in such a way that: - when said fittings (2,14) are connected, it acts on the ring nut (3) following a modest pressure exerted on the external surface (17) of the deactivator (1) and determines the passage of the first fitting (2) from a hooked position to a released position thus allowing the separation of said fittings (2,14); - when said fittings (2,14) are disconnected, and no pressure is exerted on the external surface (17) of the deactivator (1), it determines the return of the first fitting (2) to the hooked position. 2) Compressed air connection system according to claim 1 of the type for use in a centralized distribution system equipped with one or more compressed air sampling points. 3) Connection system according to claim 2 wherein said compressed air sampling points are boxes (15) recessed into the wall and said system further includes: - a hole cover cap (9), equipped with an opening from which the internal hollow cylinder of the deactivator (1) emerges; - a finishing plate (10), configured to be applied on said hole cover cap (9), or on said box (15), so as to hide said opening and the box (15) recessed into the wall. 4) Connection system according to claim 3, in which the deactivator (1) has a perimeter shape at the end that adapts to the opening of the hole cover cap (9), where said perimeter shape is chosen from: square, triangular, circular, oval, polyhedral, or a combination thereof. 5) Connection system according to claim 3 or 4, characterised by the fact that it further includes adjustment means suitable for allowing the alignment of the first fitting (2) flush with the hole cover cap (9), or flush with the finishing plate (10), said adjustment means comprising: - a first flange (20) fixed to the box (15) or directly to the wall to stabilize the socket body (19); - a second flange (21) fitted onto partially threaded pins (22,22?), suitable for adjusting the position of the socket body (19) within the box (15), where said pins (22,22?) are anchored to said first flange (14); - one or more flanged nuts (23,23?) to lock the position of said second flange (21) of the socket body (19) within the box (15). 6) Connection system according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, in which the thickness (6) of the deactivator (1) can be chosen so as to: - retract the first fitting (2) with respect to the hole cover cap (9) or the finishing plate (10); - make the first fitting (2) protrude from the hole cover cap (9) or the finishing plate (10); - align the first fitting (2) flush with the hole cover cap (9) or flush with the finishing plate (10), 7) Connection system according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, characterised by the fact that it can be integrated with standard electrical socket modules preferably of the 502, 502, 504 or 505 type. 8) Connection system according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which: - the first fitting (2) is of the female type while the second fitting (14) is of the male type; - the first fitting (2) is of the male type while the second fitting (14) is of the female type.