WO2007048183A1

WO2007048183A1 - Pivotable fluid connector

Info

Publication number: WO2007048183A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Andrew Macey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2006-10-26
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2008-04-26

Abstract

A pivotable fluid connector including: a first section mounted about a pivot axis, the first section having a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a linking outlet; a second section mounted in engagement with the first section about the pivot axis, the second section having a linking inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, the first section and second section being movable relative to one another about the pivot axis from a first position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a first orientation relative to the fluid outlet to a second position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a second orientation relative to the fluid outlet; wherein the linking outlet and the linking inlet are in fluid communication in both the first position and second position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the connector between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet in each of the first position and second position.

Description

PIV^QTABLE FLUID CONNECTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved fluid connection connecting a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.

The invention has particular application in respect of an oxy-acetylene cutter and will be generally described in that context. However, it is to be understood that the invention can have a broader application and can be used in a variety of applications where it is desirable to move an inlet relative to an outlet while maintaining fluid communication between the inlet and outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oxy-acetylene cutters have been traditionally manufactured with a handpiece having a gas/flame outlet nozzle which directs a flame a fixed 90° relative to the long axis of the handpiece. While this particular fixed orientation of the flame to the handpiece is suitable for a variety of applications, it has been found that the existing configuration can be confining, uncomfortable and potentially unsafe when used in a limited space, overhead or when cutting material in certain orientations.

Furthermore, certain cutting jobs could be more easily and comfortably achieved if the flame could be orientated at a different angle relative to the long axis of the handpiece. For example, when using traditional fixed 90°

^'handpieces to cut a section from beneath a roof, the orientation of the flame nozzle requires a user to hold the handpiece angled with the long axis at a generally parallel orientation to the roof. This results in the flame being directed in a substantially vertical position, close to the head of the user. Such an orientation is dangerous as it can result in a shower of sparks and metal showering down on the user. Furthermore, it is uncomfortable for a user to maintain the handpiece in this position for an extended length of time due to the angle the user must hold the handpiece to accurately aim the flame at the roof.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a fitting or coupling that allows a user to adjust the angle the flame is directed relative to the handpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a pivotable fluid connector including;

^♦ a first section mounted about a pivot axis, the first section having a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a linking outlet;

^♦ a second section mounted in engagement with the first section about the pivot axis, the second section having a linking inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, the first section and second section being movable relative to one another about the pivot axis from a first position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a first orientation relative to the fluid outlet to a second position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a second orientation relative to the fluid outlet; wherein the linking outlet and the linking inlet are in fluid communication in both the first position and second position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the connector between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet in each of the first position and second position.

The fluid connector of the present invention therefore allows the fluid inlet of the first section to move a selected angle away from the fluid outlet of the second section about the pivot axis while maintaining a fluid connection between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. Accordingly, if the connector is used in a handpiece of an oxy-acetylene cutter, the fluid inlet of the connector can be connected in a section of the gas feeder pipes leading to the flame nozzle, so that a first portion of the gas pipes are fixed to the fluid inlet of the connector and the remaining portion including the flame nozzle is connected to the fluid outlet of the connector. The connector will allow the flame nozzle to be rotated a selected angle relative to the rest of the handpiece while still allowing gas flow to be maintained to the flame nozzle in each of these positions.

The degree of freedom of the connector is dependent on the desired positions that the fluid inlet is to be located relative to the fluid outlet for a certain application. In some applications, it may be advantageous for the first section and second section of the connector of the present invention to be rotatable relative to one another between more than two positions, and therefore provide a fluid connection between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet over more than two orientations of the fluid inlet relative to the fluid outlet about the pivot axis. In other applications, it may be desirable for the first section and second section of the connector of the present invention to be rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis over a continuous range of angles about the pivot axis. In this embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the each of the linking inlet and linking outlet is selected to provide a fluid connection between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the connector over this entire angular range. The angular range can be any angle greater than 0°, though is typically between 45° to 360°.

The fluid link between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the connector is formed through the interaction of the linking inlet and linking outlet. Each of the linking inlets and linking outlets is preferably located proximate to the intersection of the first and section sections of the connector. More preferably, each of the linking inlets and linking outlets is formed between a portion of the first section and portion of the second section which are in engagement. Typically, the portion of the first section is in engagement with a portion of the second section forms a fluid tight seal.

in one embodiment of the present invention, the linking inlets, linking outlets or combination comprises a recessed section formed in either the first or second section of the connector. The recessed section can take the form of a cavity, trench, groove or the like. in some embodiments of the present invention, the connector includes two or more fluid conduits, each fluid conduit having a fluid inlet, fluid outlet, linking

, inlet and linking outlet. It is preferably, that the linking outlets and linking inlets of each conduit are in fluid communication in both the first position and second position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the connector between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of each of these conduits in each of the first position and second position. In some embodiments, each of the individual fluid conduits define separate fluid connections between a fluid inlet, fluid outlet. In an alternate embodiment, some or all of the individual fluid conduits are linked in some manner within the connector. In other embodiments of the invention, each linking inlet, linking outlet or combination have individual inlet(s) and/or fluid outlet(s). In an alternative embodiment, each linking inlet, linking outlet or combination have shared fluid inlet(s) and/or fluid outlet(s).

The pivotable fluid connector of the present invention can also act as a mixer of different fluids being fed into the connector. In this respect, a linking outlet of the connector could be in fluid communication with more than one fluid inlet. Equally, a linking inlet of the connector could be in fluid communication with more than one fluid outlet.

The particular configuration a pair of linking inlet and linking outlet about the pivot axis provides the flexibility in positioning of the fluid inlet relative to the fluid outlet while maintaining fluid flow. Given the rotatable nature of the connector, it is preferable that at least one of the linking inlet or linking outlet has an annular configuration having a centre about the pivot axis. In embodiments of the present invention including more than set of linking inlets and linking outlets, the annular configuration is advantageous as each of the sets of linking inlets and linking outlets can be concentrically arranged about the pivot axis. An annular configuration can comprise a full 360° circumference about the pivot axis or part thereof. For example, in some configurations of the connector two or more individual sets of linking inlets and linking outlets could be spaced apart around a circumference about the pivot axis. In other configurations two or more circular trenches could be arrange concentrically within either the first section, second section or combination thereof of the connector to form the various sets of linking inlets and linking outlets of the connector.

The fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the connector can be positioned at any desired location on the first section and second section respectively. However, as can be understood, the location of each of the fluid outlet and fluid inlet on the respective sections will influence the configuration of the linking inlet and linking outlet of the connector. For example, in one configuration of the present invention, the fluid inlet and corresponding linking outlet is positioned on the first section parallel to the pivot axis at a radius V away from the pivot axis. This fluid outlet orientation dictates that the corresponding linking inlet is configured to follow the path of an arc of radius Y centred about the pivot axis so to allow a fluid connection to be maintained between the linking inlet and linking outlet at all the positions that the fluid inlet must be located relative to the fluid outlet. If it desired that the fluid inlet be rotatable a full 360° about the pivot axis relative to the fluid outlet, then the corresponding linking inlet (and/or linking outlet) would follow a circular path of radius V having a centre at the pivot axis. |n other embodiments of the present invention, the fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet could be position perpendicular to the pivot axis or any angle therebetween.

A fluid tight seal can be maintained between the two sections of the connector by forming a tight seal between these sections. This can be achieved by using a fastener to secure and seal the two sections together. In some embodiments of the present invention, the fastener is located along the pivot axis of the connector. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, a sealing body such as a sealing washer or the like is included between the first section and second section to enhance the seal between these two sections.

The connector can be used for any application where it is desirable to rotate a fluid inlet a selected angle away from a fluid outlet while maintaining a fluid connection between a fluid inlet and fluid outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid connector of the present invention is incorporated into a handpiece of an oxy-acetylene cutter. The fluid connector is used to connect the gas supply to the flame fluid outlet of the cutter through a handpiece, thereby allowing the flame fluid outlet of the cutter to be positioned at a desired angle relative to an axis of the handpiece of the cutter while maintaining gas supply to the flame.

In other embodiments, the fluid connector is used for angled adjustment of water conduits, gas conduits and other such fluid conduits.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the fluid connector of the present invention forms a mercury switch. In this embodiment, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the connector comprise conductors and the configuration of linking outlet and the linking inlet defines a chamber which contains mercury.

Rotation of the connector and/or sections of the connection thereof result in a connection being formed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet due to the fluid nature of the mercury.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

Figure 1a is a base view of the first rotational section of one preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 1b is a plan view of the second rotational section of one preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

Figure 1c is a base view of the second rotational section illustrated in figure 1b.

Figure 1d is a front elevation view of the one preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention in which the first rotational piece is secured to the second rotational piece about the pivot point. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector along line X-X of figure 1d,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector along line Y-Y of figure 1d.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second rotational section of the connector shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first rotational section of the connector shown in figure 1.

Figure 6a is a photograph showing a right hand side view of an oxy-acetylene cutter handpiece which includes the connector illustrated in figures 1 to 5 in which the flame nozzle has been positioned parallel to the axis of the handpiece using the connector;

Figure 6b is a photograph showing a right hand side view of the oxy-acetylene cutter handpiece of figure 6a in which the flame nozzle has been positioned at a 45° angle to the axis of the handpiece using the connector;

Figure 6c is a photograph showing a right hand side view of the oxy-acetylene cutter handpiece of figure 6a in which the flame nozzle has been positioned at a 90' angle to the axis of the handpiece using the connector;

Figure 6d is a photograph showing a front end view of the oxy-acetyJene cutter handpiece of figure 6a.

Figure 6e is a photograph showing a left hand side view of the oxy-acetylene cutter handpiece of figure 6a in which the first and second rotating sections of the connector have been separated;

Figure 6f is a further photograph showing a left hand side view of the oxy- acetylene cutter handpiece of figure 6a in which the first and second rotating sections of the connector have been separated; Figure 6g is yet a further photograph showing a left hand side view of the oxy- acetyleπe cutter handpiece of figure 6a in which the first and second rotating sections of the connector have been separated;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 5 illustrates several views of one preferred embodiment of the pivotable fluid connector of the present invention. The illustrated connector 10 includes two separable sections 11 and 12 which are secured together to form a fluid tight seal using a fastener such as a bolt or locking screw (not illustrated).

The first or lower section 12 as shown in figures 1b, 1c, 1d and 4 includes a rectangular shaped body having two tubular fluid inlet ports 14 and 16 located at the front end 17 of the connector 12. Proximate to the opposite end 21 of the lower section 12 is an annulus shaped connection section 18 having a central circular opening 19, the centre of which includes the pivot axis P-P of the connector 10. The connection section 18 has a flat, planar upper engagement surface 20 which, in use, securely engages a corresponding engagement surface 40 of the second or upper section 11 of the connector 10. In the centre of the connection section 18 are situated two individual arcuate trenches 22 and 24 spanning a 90° arc over the engagement surface 40. The arcuate trenches 22 and 24 form the openings for the linking outlets of this lower section 12 of the connector 10. Each of the arcuate trenches 22 and 24 are spaced 90° apart about a circle having the pivot axis P-P as the centre. Each of the arcuate trenches 22 and 24 are form a channel having an opening In the engagement surface 20. The arcuate trenches 22 and 24 are connected to each of the fluid inlets 22 and 24 via tubular cavities 26 and 28 bored into the body of the lower section 12 of the connector 10. In this respect, a first fluid conduit is formed from the inlet 14 in a substantially perpendicular direction to pivot axis P-P through tubular cavities 26. and through to arcuate trench 22. Similarly, a second fluid conduit is formed from the inlet 16 in a substantially perpendicular direction to pivot axis P-P though tubular cavities 28 and through to arcuate trench 24.

The second or upper section 11 of the connector 10 as shown in figures 1a and 5 comprises a horse-shoe shaped body having two tubular outlet ports 34 and

36 positioned in two tubular arms 30 and 32 at one end 39 of the upper section

11 and a circular connection section 38 at the other end 41 of the upper section 11 , The interior or connecting face 37 of the lower section 11 includes the connection and engagement features. Like the connection section 18 of the lower section 12, the connection section 38 of the upper section 11 is an annulus shaped section having a central circular opening 39_r the centre of which includes the pivot axis P-P of the connector 10. The connection section 38 has a flat, planar upper engagement surface 40 which is designed to abut/engage the corresponding engagement surface 20 of the first or lower section 12 of the connector 10. The dimensions of each of the connection sections 18 and 38 are therefore very similar to provide a suitable engagement. The engagement surface 40 of the upper connector includes two individual circular ports 42 and 44 spaced 180° apart about a circle having the pivot axis P-P as the centre. The circular ports 42 and 44 comprise the linking inlets for this embodiment of the connector 10. The radius of each of the circular ports 42 and 44 are spaced from the axis P-P is the same as the radius each of the arcuate trenches 22 and 24 are spaced from the axis P-P in the lower section

12 of the connector 10. Each of the circular ports 42 and 44 have a flat opening located on the planar engagement surface 40. Each of the circular ports 42 and 44 are connected to each of the inlets 22 and 24 via tubular cavities 46 and 48 bored into the body of the lower section 12. In this respect, a third fluid conduit is formed from the circular ports 42 in a substantially parallel direction to pivot axis P-P though tubular cavities 46 and through a 90° change of direction to outlet 34, Similarly, a fourth fluid conduit is formed from the circular ports 44 in a substantially parallel direction to pivot axis P-P through tubular cavities 48 and through a 90° change of direction to outlet 36.

The lower section 12 and upper section 11 are secured together at each of the respective connection sections 18 and 38 by orientating each of the sections 11 and 12 with the engagement sections facing towards each other, aligning the central holes 19 and 39 and then placing the two engagement surfaces 20 and 40 together with the pivot axis P-P of each of the sections 11 and 12 in alignment. Ideally, the inlets 14 and 16 and outlets 34 and 36 are orientated facing in opposite directions to correctly overlap each of the arcuate trenches 22 and 24 of the lower section 12 with the corresponding circular port 42 or 44 or the upper section 11. The lower section 12 and upper section 11 can then be secured together by placing a fastener (not illustrated) such as a bolt, screw, locking fitting or the like through the aligned central holes 19 and 39 and tightening the fastener to secure the two engagement surfaces 20 and 40 together.

When the upper section 11 and lower section 12 are secured together in this manner, the particular illustrated configuration of connector 10 allows the lower section 12 and upper section 11 to rotate relative to each other over a 90° range while maintaining fluid communication between the inlets 14 and 16 and outlets 34 and 36 respectively of the connector 10. More specifically, the inlets 14 and 16 can be rotated from a first extreme orientation of being aligned parallel to the outlets 34 and 36 (as shown in figure 6c) to a second extreme of being aligned perpendicular to the outlets 34 and 36 (as shown in figure 6a) while maintaining fluid to flow between the inlets 14 and 16 and outlets 34 and 36 of the connector 10.

In this respect, when the inlets 14 and 16 are aligned parallel to the outlets 34 and 36 fluid can flow into inlet 14 in a substantially perpendicular direction to pivot axis P-P though tubular cavities 26 and through to arcuate trench 22. With the upper connector 11 secured to the lower connector 12, the engagement surface 39 of the upper connector 11 forms a fluid tight upper surface over the arcuate trench 22 through which fluid can flow. As illustrated in figure 2, fluid can therefore be channelled through the trench 22, and through to circular port 42, which in this orientation is located at the first end 50 of the trench 22. A similar fluid conduit is formed between inlet 16 and outlet 36 via arcuate trench 24 in which circular port 44 is located at the first end 52 of the trench 24 in this orientation as illustrated in figure 3. When the inlets 14 and 16 are rotated from being aligned parallel to the outlets 34 and 36 (as shown in figure 6c) to being aligned perpendicular to the outlets 34 and 36 (as shown in figure 6a) the connector also fluid communication between inlet 14 and outlet 34 is also maintained. Here fluid flows through the inlet 14 in a substantially perpendicular direction to pivot axis P-P though tubular cavities 26, through to arcuate trench 22. The arcuate shape/configuration of the trench 22 allows a fluid communication between inlet 14 and outlet 34 to be maintained throughout the entire rotation because the circular port 42 translates along the arc defined by the trench 22 throughout this rotation. Fluid can therefore channel through the inlet 14, through the trench 22, through to circular port 42. When the inlets 14 and 16 are aligned perpendicular to the outlets 34 and 36, the circular port 42 is located at the second end 52 of the trench 22. A similar fluid conduit is formed between inlet 16 and outlet 36 via arcuate trench 24 in which circular port 44 is located at the second end 54 of the trench 24 in this orientation.

However, as is apparent from the figures, if the upper section 11 and lower section 12 are rotated beyond the limits of this 90° rotational movement, each of the circular ports 42 or 44 will not align with the corresponding arcuate trenches 22 and 24. Thi$ will block fluid flow through the connector 10, and prevent fluid communication between the respective inlets 14 and 16 and outlets 34 and 36 of the connector 10.

The fluid seal between the upper section 12 and lower section 11 should ideally be very tight to ensure little to no leaks occur when fluid flows through the between the arcuate trenches 22 and 24 and circular ports 42 and 44, This seal can be enhanced through the use of a sealing washer (not illustrated) placed between the engagement faces 20 and 40 of each of the sections 11 and 12. Similarly, the connection sections 18 and 38 could have raised and depressed sections respectively, which interlock to enhance the seal,

As previously discussed, the pivot axis/point P-P is also the locking point of the connector 10, for securing together the upper 12 and lower 11 sections of the connector 10. In some embodiments, features can be incorporated into the connection sections 18 and 38 to ensure that the upper section 12 and lower 11 section of the connector 10 are secured together in the correct orientation. For example, one of the connection sections 18 or 38 could include guide rods which are designed to be inserted into corresponding guide cavities in the other section in order to ensure the correct alignment of each the connection sections 18 and 38 relative to each other when securing the sections 18 and 38 together to form a fluid tight seal. This orientation could correspond to the inlet 14 and outlet 34 being substantially aligned along a common axis on opposite ends of the connector 10 as shown in figure 6e.

As previously discussed, a locking device or fastener (not illustrated) such as a bolt, screw or the like is typically placed through the aligned central holes 19 and 39 and fastened to tightly secure the two engagement surfaces 20 and 40 together. In some embodiments, the locking device can also act as a circle cutting guide, for example when the connector 10 is used in the handpiece of an oxy-acetylene cutter.

The connector can be constructed from a variety of materials, depending on the application it is to be used. For water or other similar liquid type applications a plastic material would most likely be suitable. However, for high pressure gases, flammable fluids or uses in high temperature or extreme conditions, it would be more suitable to manufacture the connector from a metallic material. Metals such as iron, steel, copper, brass, aluminium or the like could be used.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the dimensions of the inlets, outlets, lower section, upper section, cavities, trenches, circular inlets, wall thicknesses and the like can be sized to fit the particular application that the connector 10 is intended to be used and the specific requirements of the fluid which intended to flow through the connector 10. For example, corrosive fluids typically require specific engineering standards to be met to comply with particular safety standards designated for that fluid. Fittings such as pipes, wires, hoses or the like can be connected, fastened or otherwise secured to the inlet(s) and outlet(s) of the connector using a variety of methods of joining or linking such as for example hose clamps, silver solder, threaded connections, welding, gluing, coupling, adaptors or the like, Alternatively, the connector of the present invention could be integrally formed with the connectors or features of choice, for example by moulding, casting, machining methods or the like.

The various photographs of figure 6 illustrate one particular application of an embodiment of the connector 10 of the present invention. Figure 6 shows the connector 10 illustrated in figures 1 to 5 formed within a handpiece 60 for an oxy-acetylene cutter. The hand piece 60 includes a cone shaped flame nozzle

62 attached, to a tubular mounting section 64. The tubular mounting section 64 contains a mixing chamber (not shown) in which the gas from the outlets 66 of the connector 10 is mixed before being ignited at the end of the flame nozzle

62. The flame nozzle 62 is perpendicularly attached to the outlets 66 of the connector 10. The inlets 68 of the connector 10 are connected to gas feeder pipes 70 which extend to ihe rest of the oxy-acetylene cutter. The gas feeder pipes 70 extend and are attached in a parallel orientation with the inlets 68 of the connector 10.

The connector 10 allows the flame nozzle 62 to be orientated at different angles relative to the feeder pipes 70. As shown by figures 6a to 6c, the flame nozzfe 62 can be pivoted via the connector 10 from a position where the long axis of the nozzle 62 is parallel to the long axis of the feeder pipes 70 through to a position where the long axis of the nozzle 62 is perpendicular to the long axis of the feeder pipes 70. Throughout this 90° movement, the unique features of the connector 10 ensure that gas flow is maintained from the feeder pipes 70 to the flame nozzle 62.

Figures 6e, 6f and 6g illustrate various views of the handpiece 60 when the upper section 12 of the connector 10 is disconnected from lower section 11. of the connector 10. In several of these views arcuate trenches 22 and 24 of the lower section 12 of the connector 10 and circular ports of the upper section 11 of the connector 10 can be clearly observed.

A further application envisaged for the connector 10 of the present invention, is use as a mercury switch. In this embodiment, the inlets and outlets would comprise an electrical conductor such as a metal wire or the like and the fluid chamber, in the form of an arcuate trench or another type of recess or cavity, would contain mercury. Only enough mercury would be placed in the fluid charrφer to allow an electrical connection to be formed between the conductors of the inlet or outlet in a particular orientation. Accordingly, rotation of the connector or sections thereof to that particular orientation would result in an electrical connection being formed between the inlet and outlet.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described, It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

For example, the angular positions of the illustrated embodiment of the connector of the present invention which allow fluid flow are restricted by the arc length of the arcuate trench. In other embodiments the arcuate trench could extend 120°, 180 ^p, 220 °, 360 ° or the like around a circumference of a circle centred about the pivot axis P-P, This would allow the inlet and outlet to be moved apart over that particular range of angles. Similarly, further recesses, cavities, trenches or the like could be included in the engagement sections of the connectors to provide further fluid paths through the connector. For example, one embodiment of the connector could include two or more concentric circular trenches centred about the pivot axis P-P, each of which connecting to individual inlets and outlets via separate circular ports which are spaced away from the pivot axis at a radius equivalent to the radius of the circular trench.

Furthermore, in some embodiments of the connector, limiting features, such as for example rods or other such impediments could be included into the connector to prevent the connector from rotating past a predetermined angle. This would prevent a user from rotating the inlet or outlet into orientation which could be detrimental or unsafe in a particular application.

Throughout the description and claims of the specification the word "comprise" and variation of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It is to be understood, that while the following claims of this provisional patent application are intended to define the invention, the wording of these claims should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope or meaning of the claims of any subsequent and/or associated application.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A pivotable fluid connector including:

^♦ a first section mounted about a pivot axis, the first section having a fluid ^' inlet in fluid communication with a linking outlet;

^• a second section mounted in engagement with the first section about the pivot axis, the second section having a linking inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet, the first section and second section being movable relative to one another about the pivot axis from a first position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a first orientation relative to the fluid outlet to a second position in which the fluid inlet is orientated in a second orientation relative to the fluid outlet; wherein the linking outlet and the linking inlet are in fluid communication in both the first position and second position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the connector between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet in each of the first position and second position.

2. A pivotable fluid connector according to claim 1 in which the connector includes two or more fluid conduits each fluid conduit having a fluid inlet, fluid outlet, linking inlet and linking outlet, the linking outlets and linking inlets of each conduit being in fluid communication in both the first position and second position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the connector between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of each of these fluid conduits in each of the first position and second position.

3. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the linking inlet and/or linking outlet has a substantially arcuate configuration about the pivot axis.

4. A pivotable fluid connector according to claim 3 in which the linking inlet and/or linking outlet comprise at least a portion of a circumferential channel.

5. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the linking inlet and/or linking outlet comprise a cavity, trench, channel or groove in the first section, second section or combination thereof.

6. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the linking inlet and linking outlet are located between an area in which the first section and second section are in engagement.

7. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the engagement between the first second and second sections forms a fluid tight seal between the linking inlet and linking outlet.

8. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section and second section are rotatable relative to one another between more than two positions, the linking inlet and linking outlet being in fluid communication at each of these positions.

9. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section and second section are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis over a continuous range of angles about the pivot axis, the linking inlet and linking outlet being in fluid communication over substantially the entire range of angles.

10. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims including more than one sets of linking inlets and linking outlets, each of the linking inlets and/or linking outlets being concentrically aligned about the pivot axis.

11. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which a single linking outlet is in fluid communication with more than one fluid inlet thereby allowing the mixing of fluids entering from different fluid inlets.

12. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims in which a single linking inlet is in fluid communication with more than one fluid outlet.

13. A pivotable fluid connector according to any one of the preceding claims further including a sealing body located between the first section and second section to enhance the fluid seal between these sections,

14. A pivotable fluid chamber according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section and second section are secured together by a fastener located along the pivot axis of the connector.

15. A pivotable fluid chamber according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section can be rotated about the pivot axis to at least one position relative to the second section which terminates the fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

16. A pivotable fluid chamber according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first section and second section can only be secured together in a predetermined orientation.

17. An oxy-acetyiene cutter including a pivotable connector according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A mercury switch including a pivotable connector according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A mercury switch according to claim 18 in which the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the connector comprise conductors and the configuration of linking outlet and the linking inlet defines a chamber which contains mercury.

20. A pivotable fluid connector substantially as herein described in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

21. An oxy-acetylene Gutter substantially as herein described in accordance with the accompanying drawings.