AU2016259295B2

AU2016259295B2 - A coupling device

Info

Publication number: AU2016259295B2
Application number: AU2016259295A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Davis; Alexander RASO
Original assignee: Austworld Commodities Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Austworld Commodities Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-13
Filing date: 2016-11-14
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-14
Also published as: AU2016259295A1

Abstract

A coupling device comprising a first body attachable to a pipe, and a second body attachable to a metering device. The second body of the coupling device is telescopically received in the first body. 0/0 0C C\i 0L IX .. ............ .......... .. ..... ..... ..... ..... ... 0O ,, OVP!7!) C~ ~ ~~Cj ----------

Description

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TITLE: A COUPLING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device. In particular, although not

exclusively, the invention relates to a coupling device for a water meter. However, it will be

appreciated that the coupling device can be used with other meters, such as gas meters.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] As metering devices, such as gas and water meters, age they begin to give

inaccurate meter readings. This can be costly for the utility provider and the consumer. Once a

metering device is identified as broken it needs to be replaced as quickly as possible while also

minimising any leakage or loss.

[0003] One way to replace a metering device is to utilise a shut-off valve to halt the flow of

any gas or water before springing apart the pipes to remove the metering device. However, due

to variations in manufacturing of flow metering devices, it can be difficult to replace the metering

device quickly and efficiently. In particular, many existing installations are not capable of being

easily adjusted once the installation has been completed.

[0004] In new multi-unit complexes it is a requirement that each residence be metered

separately. In some complexes this can result in hundreds of individual water meters which need

to be maintained so that accurate readings can be obtained. Over time these meters need to be

replaced due to age or general wear and tear, and with existing devices and installations this

can be a slow process which costs both time and money. It is unfeasible for an entire complex

to be without water for an extended period of time while multiple water meters are removed and

replaced.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved coupling device for connecting water

meters.

[0006] It is a preferred aim of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the

disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one broad form, the invention provides a coupling device comprising: a first body

attachable to a pipe and having a flow passage therein; a second body having a flow passage

therein, the second body having a first end portion attachable to a metering device and a second

end portion telescopically received in the first body, wherein the flow passage in the second

body communicates with the flow passage in the first body; and a retaining member located

radially between the second end portion of the second body and the first body.

[0008] Typically the second end portion of the second body is tubular and the portion of the

first body in which the second end portion of the second body is telescopically received is also

tubular. In an embodiment, an annular member located between the second end portion of the

second body and the first body, and the retaining member has an externally threaded portion

which, in use, is threadedly engaged with a threaded end portion on an inside surface of the

tubular portion of the first body. The retaining member operatively engages the annular member

to limit or prevent relative axial movement between the second body and the first body.

[0009] Preferably, the first body has an outer threaded portion, and a pair of nuts are

threadedly mounted on the outer threaded portion for fixing the coupling device to a mounting

bracket for the metering device. In use, the coupling device may be located in an opening in a

side wall of the mounting bracket, and the coupling device is fixable to the mounting bracket by

tightening the pair of nuts against opposite sides of the side wall.

[0010] The first end of the second body preferably has a protruding tubular end portion for

engagement with the metering device.

[0011] The coupling device may include a biasing member, such as a spring, to bias the

first body and the second body apart.

[0012] An annular seal may be located between the first body and the second end portion

of the second body.

[0012a] A valve mechanism may be located in the first body for opening and closing the flow

passage in the first body. The valve mechanism may be a ball valve or a spindle valve.

[0012b] A threaded coupling may be provided on the first body for attachment to the pipe,

and a threaded coupling may be provided on the first end portion of the second body for

attachment to the metering device.

[0012c] In another form, the invention provides an assembly for mounting and coupling a

metering device to a pair of pipes, the assembly comprising: a first body attachable to a first pipe

and having a flow passage therein which communicates with the first pipe; and a second body

having a flow passage therein, the second body having a first end portion attachable to the

metering device and a second end portion telescopically received in the first body, wherein the

flow passage in the second body communicates with the flow passage in the first body and the

metering device; a retaining member located radially between the second end portion of the

second body and the first body; and a mounting bracket for the metering device, wherein the

first body is mounted to the bracket.

[0012d] The assembly may further comprise a third body attachable to the metering device

and a second pipe, which has a flow passage therein which communicates with the metering

device and the second pipe. The third body is locatable in an opening in a second side wall of

the mounting bracket which is spaced from the first side wall, and the third body is fixable to the

second side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in reference to the

accompanying figures in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coupling assembly according to an embodiment

of the present invention;

[0015] Figure is a perspective view of the coupling assembly shown in Fig. 1;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the coupling device shown in Fig. 1;

[0017] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the coupling device shown in Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the coupling device shown in Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a coupling device according to a second embodiment

of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the coupling device shown in Figure 6;

[0021] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a coupling device according to a third embodiment

of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the coupling device shown in Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention relates to a coupling device and method of connecting a

coupling device for water meters and other metering devices. Elements of the invention are

illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are

necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter

the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light

of the present description.

[0024] Figures 1-3 show an embodiment of a coupling assembly 10 for water meters. The

coupling assembly 10 includes a coupling device 100, a connector 200 and a bracket 300. The

coupling device 100 includes a first body 110 and a second body 130 which is able to slide with

respect to the first body 110. The first body 110 is attachable to a first pipe (not shown). The

second body 130 is attachable to a metering device (not shown).

[0025] The connector 200 is a device commonly known in the art for controlling the flow of

liquids and gases which is attachable to the metering device and a second pipe (not shown).

[0026] The bracket 300 includes a spacing member 301 and two mounting plates 302, 303

spaced at a predetermined distance for mounting the coupling device 100 and the connector

200. As shown, the bracket 300 includes two arch-shaped mounting slots 304 and 305 for

receiving the coupling device 100 and the connector 200. The bracket 300 also includes holes

306 for receiving screws (not shown) or other mounting means for mounting the assembly 10 to

a wall.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the assembled coupling assembly 10. As

illustrated, the coupling device 100 is mounted in the first arch-shaped mounting slot 304 of the

bracket 300 and the connector 200 is mounted in the second arch-shaped mounting slot 305 of

the bracket 300 at a distal end of the bracket 300 with respect to the coupling device 100. The

coupling device 100 and the connector 200 are mounted such that the coupling device 100 and

the connector 200 are longitudinally aligned. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art

that while the embodiment shown is assembled from distinct components, the assembly may

also be integrally formed. The coupling device 100 is shown in further detail in Figures 4 and 5.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the coupling device 100. As shown, the coupling

device 100 includes the first body 110 and the second body 130. The first body 110 includes a

linear valve body 111, two seals 112a, 112b, a ball valve 113, O-rings 114, a retaining clip 115,

a handle 116, a meter kit cap 117, two lock nuts 118a, 118b, a spring 119, a split ring 120 and

a retaining cap 121.

[0029] The second body 130 includes a coupling adapter 131, a captive nut 132 for

attaching the second body to the metering device (not shown), 0- rings 133 and a washer 134.

The O-rings 133 is located between ridges 135a, 135b, 135c and form a waterproof seal with

the inner wall of the meter kit cap 117. When the second body 130 is fully extended, the ridge

135c abuts the split ring 120 which prevents the second body 130 from being removed from the shaft of the meter kit cap 117. The washer 134 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the coupling adapter 131 such that the washer fits over the coupling adapter 131 and abuts a projection of the coupling adapter 131 to form a seal.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the assembled coupling device 100. As shown,

the first body 110 includes a threaded connection 122 for attaching to a first pipe (not shown).

The linear valve body 111 houses the two seals 112a, 112b and the ball valve 113. The seal

112a abuts a projection 123 of the first body 110 and the ball valve 113. The seal 112b abuts an

opposing side of the ball valve 113 to provide a waterproof seal within the linear valve body 111.

The illustrated embodiment utilises a female threaded connection end. However, it will be

appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any suitable fitting could be used including, but not

necessarily limited to, a flared compression fitting, a nylon compression fitting, a copper

compression fitting, a conetite compression fitting, a press fit connection or a push fit connection.

[0031] The handle 116 is fitted with the retaining clip 115 and the O-rings 114. The handle

116 is then engaged with the ball valve 113 such that when the handle 116 is rotated the ball

valve 113 is also rotated to open or close the linear valve body 111 to control the flow of a fluid

or gas through the coupling device 100. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the ball

valve 113 can be replaced with any type of valve suitable for controlling flow such as a spindle

valve.

[0032] The first body 110 further comprises a thread 124 which engages with a first thread

125 of the meter kit cap 117. Each of the locking nuts 118a, 118b is internally threaded and

engages with a second thread 126 of the meter kit cap 117. In use, the meter kit cap 117 receives

a first lock nut 118a before being mounted against a first face of the bracket 300. The meter kit

cap 117 is then fitted with the second lock nut 118b on an opposing face of the bracket 300 in

order to secure the coupling device 100 to the bracket 300, as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] In assembling the coupling device 100, the coupling adapter 131 has a diameter less

than that of the meter kit cap 117 such that the meter kit cap 117 receives the coupling diameter

131 as shown in Figure 3. The meter kit cap 117 also comprises an internal thread 127 which

engages with a thread 128 of the retaining cap 121. The meter kit cap 117 then receives the split

ring 120 which is held in place when the thread 128 of the retaining cap 121 engages with the

internal thread 127 of the meter kit cap 117.

[0034] As shown, the coupling adapter 131 of the second body 130 is received in the shaft

of the meter kit cap 117 of the first body 110 and sits against the spring 119. The second body

130 is axially aligned with the shaft of the meter kit cap 117 of the first body 110 and, in use,

slides with respect to the first body 100 to enable the second body 130 to be attached to the

metering device using the captive nut 132. In particular, a user is able to attach the metering

device to the coupling device 100 and the connector 200 and telescopically retract or extend the

second body 130 so that the metering device can be removed or inserted between the coupling

device 100 and the connector 200 of Figure 2. In the embodiment shown, the captive nut 132 is

internally threaded for receiving a metering device; however it will be appreciated by a person

skilled in the art that the captive nut 132 could also be externally threaded to be received by an

internally threaded connection for a metering device.

[0035] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a coupling device 200. The components of the

coupling device 200 are substantially similar to the coupling device 100, as described in Figures

4 and 5. However, the coupling device 200 replaces split ring 120 and retaining cap 121 with a

tapered split ring 420 and a retaining nut 421, respectively. The tapered split ring 420 and

retaining nut 421 are more clearly illustrated in Figure 7.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the assembled coupling device 200. Assembly of

the coupling device 200 is substantially similar to the assembly of coupling device 100 as

described for Figure 5. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the internal thread 127 of the

meter kit cap 117 engages with a thread 428 of the retaining nut 421. The meter kit cap 117 then

receives the tapered split ring 420 which is held in place when the thread 428 of the retaining

cap 421 engages with the internal thread 127 of the meter kit cap 117. As shown, the tapered

split ring 420 and the retaining nut 421 have complementary tapered edges. The tapered configuration of tapered split ring 420 and retaining nut 421 acts as a locking mechanism. When tightening the retaining nut 421 the tapered split ring 420 is driven together, which clamps onto the coupling adaptor 131 shaft. This locks the coupling adaptor 131 in place and ensures it now has no movement when subjected to water hammer and the like.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a coupling device 500.

The coupling device 100 includes a first body 510 and a second body 130 which is able to slide

with respect to the first body 510. The first body 510 is defined by a right angled valve body 511

and is attachable to a first pipe (not shown). The second body 130 is attachable to a metering

device (not shown) and is as described in Figures 1-7.

[0038] Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the coupling device 500. As shown, the first body

510 includes a right angled valve body 511 housing two seals 512a, 512b and a ball valve 513.

The seal 512a abuts a projection 523 of the first body 510 and the ball valve 513. The seal 512b

abuts an opposing side of the ball valve 513 to provide a waterproof seal within the right angled

valve body 511.

[0039] The illustrated embodiment utilises a female threaded connection .end. However, it

will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any suitable fitting could be used including,

but not necessarily limited to, a flared compression fitting, a nylon compression fitting, a copper

[0040] The handle 514 is fitted with O-rings 518 and is attached to a rotating mechanism

515 via a threaded screw 516 for manipulating the ball valve 513 from an open position to a

closed potion to control the flow of a fluid or gas through the coupling device 500. A person

skilled in the art will appreciate that the ball valve 513 can be replaced with any type of valve

suitable for controlling flow such as a spindle valve.

[0041] The first body 510 further comprises a thread 524 which engages with a first thread

525 of the meter kit cap 517.

[0042] The assembly of coupling device 500 is substantially similar to the assembly of

coupling devices 100 and 400 described herein.

[0043] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention include a coupling device

which, in use, can be connected to a metering device simply and quickly, and without the need

for turning off the water supply to an entire complex or springing the pipes apart to fit the new

metering device.

[0044] Further advantages of embodiments of the present invention include that the

lockable valves ensure minimal water spillage during replacement of a metering device.

Furthermore, the telescoping mechanism of the assembly allows different sized metering

devices to be exchanged without replacing the coupling assembly.

[0045] Another advantage of some embodiments of the present invention include that the

coupling assembly can be easily mounted and installed in parallel with similar coupling

assemblies.

[0046] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and

bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another

element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order.

Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to

be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could

be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0047] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided

for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be

exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above,

numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in

the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been

discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by

those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0048] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or

similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or

apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well

include other elements not listed.

Claims

1. A coupling device comprising:

a first body attachable to a pipe and having a flow passage therein;

a second body having a flow passage therein, the second body having a first end portion

attachable to a metering device and a second end portion telescopically received in the first

body, wherein the flow passage in the second body communicates with the flow passage in the

first body; and

a retaining member located radially between the second end portion of the second body

and the first body.

2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the second body is

tubular and the portion of the first body in which the second end portion of the second body is

telescopically received is tubular, further comprising an annular member located between the

second end portion of the second body and the first body, and wherein the retaining member

has an externally threaded portion which, in use, is threadedly engaged with a threaded end

portion on an inside surface of the tubular portion of the first body, and wherein the retaining

member operatively engages the annular member to limit or prevent relative axial movement

between the second body and the first body.

3. The coupling device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first body has an outer threaded portion,

further comprising a pair of nuts threadedly mounted on the outer threaded portion for fixing the

coupling device to a mounting bracket for the metering device.

4. The coupling device of claim 3, wherein in use, the coupling device is locatable in an

opening in a side wall of the mounting bracket, and the coupling device is fixable to the mounting

bracket by tightening the pair of nuts against opposite sides of the side wall.

5. The coupling device of any preceding claim, wherein the first end portion of the second

body has a protruding tubular end portion for engagement with the metering device.

6. The coupling device of any preceding claim, further comprising a biasing member, wherein

the biasing member biases the first body and the second body apart.

7. The coupling device of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

8. The coupling device of any preceding claim, further comprising an annular seal located

between the first body and the second end portion of the second body.

9. The coupling device of any preceding claim, further comprising a valve mechanism located

in the first body for opening and closing the flow passage in the first body.

10. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the valve mechanism is a ball valve.

11. The coupling device of claim 9, wherein the valve mechanism is a spindle valve.

12. The coupling device of any preceding claim, further comprising a threaded coupling on the

first body for attachment to the pipe, and a threaded coupling on the first end portion of the

second body for attachment to the metering device.

13. An assembly for mounting and coupling a metering device to a pair of pipes, the assembly

comprising:

a first body attachable to a first pipe and having a flow passage therein which

communicates with the first pipe; and

attachable to the metering device and a second end portion telescopically received in the first body, wherein the flow passage in the second body communicates with the flow passage in the first body and the metering device; a retaining member located radially between the second end portion of the second body and the first body; and a mounting bracket for the metering device, wherein the first body is mounted to the bracket.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second end portion of the second body

is tubular and the portion of the first body in which the second end portion of the second body is

between the second body and the first body.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the first body has an outer threaded

portion, further comprising a pair of nuts threadedly mounted on the outer threaded portion for

fixing the coupling device to the mounting bracket.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first body is locatable in an opening in a

first side wall of the mounting bracket, and the first body is fixable to the mounting bracket by

tightening the pair of nuts against opposite sides of the first side wall.

17. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first end portion of the

second body has a protruding tubular end portion for engagement with the metering device.

18. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising a third body

attachable to the metering device and a second pipe, wherein the third body has a flow passage

therein which communicates with the metering device and the second pipe.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the third body is locatable in an opening in a

second side wall of the mounting bracket which is spaced from the first side wall, and the third

body is fixable to the second side wall.