Valve connector for American valve

Abstract

A valve connector (10) has a body (20) defining a channel (21) extending along an axis (L). The channel has a first inner circumferential section (211) configured to press a clamping device (30) configured to clamp an American valve (90) connected to the valve connector. The clamping device is slidably arranged in the channel and has a seat (31), at least one clamping jaw (32), and a valve actuator (33). The seat defines an opening (311) configured to receive the American valve extending along the axis and defines at least one receptacle (312) in which the at least one clamping jaw is arranged. The valve actuator is connected to the seat and inserted into the opening. The clamping device is displaceable between a clamping position and a release position.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve connector and, more particularly, to a valve connector for use with an American valve.

[0002] Taiwanese Patent No. M641881 discloses a valve connector. The valve connector includes a body and two press-buckle devices disposed on the body. The body includes two connecting surfaces, and the two press-buckle devices are respectively connected to the two connecting surfaces. Each buckle device includes an integrally formed buckle into which a button is embedded. When the buttons are pressed, buckle teeth of the two buckle devices disengage from a channel in the body, allowing a tire valve to be inserted into the channel and engaged therewith. When the buttons are not pressed, the buckle teeth are reset and inserted into the channel, allowing them to be clamped to two outer sides of the tire valve, respectively. When the two buckle devices are pressed simultaneously, the tire valve can be disengaged from the valve connector.Therefore, the user uses at least two fingers to press the two buckle devices. However, this is laborious. Furthermore, because the high-pressure recoil exerts a rearward force on the tire valve, a reaction will occur between the buckle devices and the tire valve, compressing the tire valve and causing the clamping connection between the buckle devices and the tire valve to be inadvertently released. Short description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a valve connector for use with an American valve according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the valve connector of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve connector of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 4 shows another cross-sectional view showing the valve connector of Fig. 1 in a locking mode and an American valve engaged with the valve connector; and Fig. Figure 5 shows another cross-sectional view showing the valve connector of Fig. 1 in an unlocking mode and the American valve configured to disengage from the valve connector. Detailed description of the invention

[0003] The Fig. 1 to 5 show a valve connector 10 for use with an American valve 90 according to the present invention. The valve connector 10 includes a body 20 and a clamping device 30.

[0004] The body 20 defines a channel 21 extending from a first end 22 to a second end 23 along an axis L. The channel 21 has a first inner peripheral portion 211 configured to compress a clamping device 30 configured to clamp the American valve 90 connected to the valve connector 10. An end of the first inner peripheral portion 211 adjacent to the first end 22 has a smaller width than an end of the first inner peripheral portion 211 adjacent to the second end 23, and a width direction of the first inner peripheral portion 211 extends radially to the axis L. The first inner peripheral portion 211 extends in the circumferential direction about the axis L. The channel 21 further has a second inner peripheral portion 212 extending in the circumferential direction about the axis L.The body 20 further defines a side channel 24 extending radially to the axis L, with one end defining an air inlet and another end communicating with the channel 21. The side channel 24 is disposed between the first and second ends 22 and 23.

[0005] The clamping device 30 is slidably disposed within the channel 21 and includes a seat 31, at least one clamping jaw 32, and a valve actuator 33. The seat 31 is disposed adjacent the first end 22. The seat 31 defines an opening 311 extending along the axis L and configured to receive the American valve 90, and at least one receptacle 312 in which the at least one clamping jaw 32 is disposed. The at least one clamping jaw 32 includes a pivot connection 321, a clamping end 322, and an actuated end 323. The pivot connection 321 is pivotally connected to the seat 31 such that the at least one clamping jaw 32 is pivotally connected to the seat 31. The pivot connection 321 is disposed between the clamping end 322 and the actuated end 323. The pivot connection 321 and the clamping end 322 are at a first depth D1 and D2 respectively.at a second depth D2 from the first end 22 along the axis L, wherein the first depth D1 is smaller than the second depth D2. In the embodiment, the at least one clamping jaw 32 has two clamping jaws and the at least one receptacle 312 accordingly has two receptacles. The two receptacles 312 are arranged diametrically opposite one another on the seat 31. The valve actuator 33 is connected to the seat 31 and is inserted into the opening 311 from an end of the seat 31 adjacent to the second end 23. The pivot connection 321 of each of the two clamping jaws 32 has a pivot pin 313 inserted therein, and the pivot pin 313 is connected to the seat 31. The two pivot pins 313 of the two clamping jaws 32 extend parallel to one another.

[0006] The clamping device 30 is slidable between a clamping position and a release position to selectively clamp and release the American valve 90. When the clamping device 30 is in the clamping position, the clamping end 322 of the at least one jaw 32 is disposed near the axis L to clamp the American valve 90. In the embodiment, the clamping ends 322 of the two jaws 32 are disposed close to each other. When the clamping device 30 is in the release position, the first inner peripheral portion 211 contacts the at least one jaw 32 such that the clamping end 322 is disposed away from the axis L to allow the American valve 90 to be disengaged from the valve connector 10. In particular, the first inner peripheral portion 211 contacts the actuated end 323 of the at least one jaw 32.When the clamping device 30 is in the release position, the seat 31 rests against one end of the second inner peripheral portion 212.

[0007] Furthermore, the at least one clamping jaw 32 is tensioned by an elastic element 34. Two ends of the elastic element 34 rest against the seat 31 and the actuated end 323, respectively. The elastic element 34 is compressed when the clamping device 30 is in the release position. A push button 35 is configured to allow a user to press the seat 31. The push button 35 is connected to the seat 31 and protrudes from the second end 23. When the clamping device 30 moves from the clamping position to the release position, the seat 31 and the push button 35 move synchronously toward the first end (22). A sealing ring 314 is arranged on an inner circumference of the opening 311 and is configured to enclose the American valve 90. This prevents air from escaping from a space between the sealing ring 314 and the American valve 90.

[0008] In view of the above, a user can insert the American valve 90 directly into the opening 311, the clamping ends 322 of the two clamping jaws 32 can be pushed apart by the American valve 90, and the clamping jaws 32 can be tightened such that the clamping ends 322 approach each other to clamp the American valve 90 and prevent the American valve 90 from being pulled out. Furthermore, the user can hold the body 20 when pressing the push button 35 to move the clamping device 30 to its release position, and the actuated ends 323 can be pushed by the first inner peripheral portion 211 so that the clamping ends 322 can move away from each other, thereby allowing the American valve 90 to be pulled out. The valve connector 10 is therefore easy to operate and has a good clamping effect.

Claims

[1] Valve connector (10) for use with an American valve (90), comprising: a body (20) defining a channel (21) extending from a first end (22) to a second end (23) along an axis (L), wherein the channel (21) has a first inner peripheral portion (211) configured to press a clamping device (30) configured to clamp an American valve (90) connected to the valve connector (10), wherein an end of the first inner peripheral portion (211) adjacent to the first end (22) has a smaller width than an end of the first inner peripheral portion (211) adjacent to the second end (23), and wherein a width direction of the first inner peripheral portion (211) extends radially to the axis (L), wherein the clamping device (30) is slidably arranged in the channel (21) and has a seat (31), at least one clamping jaw (32), and a valve actuator (33), wherein the seat (31) is adjacent to the first end (22), wherein the seat (31) has an opening (311),which is configured to receive the American valve (90) and defines at least one receptacle (312) in which the at least one clamping jaw (32) is arranged, wherein the valve actuator (33) is connected to the seat (31) and is inserted into the opening (311) from an end of the seat (31) adjacent to the second end (23), wherein the clamping device (30) is displaceable between a clamping position and a release position in order to selectively clamp and release the American valve (90), wherein, when the clamping device (30) is in the clamping position, a clamping end (322) of the at least one clamping jaw (32) is arranged near the axis (L) in order to clamp the American valve (90), and wherein, when the clamping device (30) is in the release position, the first inner peripheral portion (211) is in contact with the at least one clamping jaw (32) such that the clamping end (322) is separated from the axis (L) is arranged away., [2] Valve connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first inner peripheral portion (211) extends circumferentially around the axis (L), wherein the at least one clamping jaw (32) has two clamping jaws and the at least one receptacle (312) has two receptacles, respectively, and wherein the two receptacles are arranged diametrically opposite one another on the seat (31). [3] Valve connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein each of the two clamping jaws (32) has a pivot connection (321) and an actuated end (323), wherein the pivot connection (321) is pivotally connected to the seat (31) such that the at least one clamping jaw (32) is pivotally connected to the seat (31), wherein the pivot connection (321) is arranged between the clamping end (322) and the actuated end (323), wherein the pivot connection (321) and the clamping end (322) are in a first (D1) and a second (D2) direction, respectively.at a second (D2) depth from the first end (22) along the axis (L), and the first depth (D1) is smaller than the second depth (D2), wherein, when the clamping device (30) is in the clamping position, the clamping ends (322) of the two clamping jaws (32) are arranged close to each other, and wherein, when the clamping device (30) is in the release position, the first inner peripheral portion (211) is in contact with the actuated ends (323) of the two clamping jaws (32) so that the clamping ends (322) are arranged spaced apart from each other to enable the American valve (90) to be disengaged from the valve connector (10). [4] The valve connector (10) of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamping jaw (32) has a pivotal connection (321) and an actuated end (323), the pivotal connection (321) being pivotally connected to the seat (31) such that the at least one clamping jaw (32) is pivotally connected to the seat (31), the pivotal connection (321) being arranged between the clamping end (322) and the actuated end (323), the pivotal connection (321) and the clamping end (322) being arranged at a first (D1) and a second (D2) depth from the first end (22) along the axis (L), respectively, and the first depth (D1) being less than the second depth (D2), and wherein, when the clamping device (30) is in the release position, the first inner peripheral portion (211) is in contact with the actuated end (323). [5] Valve connector (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one clamping jaw (32) is tensioned by an elastic element (34), two ends of the elastic element (34) abutting the seat (31) and the actuated end (323) respectively, and wherein the elastic element (34) is compressed when the clamping device (30) is in the release position. [6] Valve connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein the pivot connection (321) of each of the two clamping jaws (32) has a pivot pin (313) inserted therein and the pivot pin (313) is connected to the seat (31), and wherein the two pivot pins (313) of the two clamping jaws (32) extend parallel to each other. [7] The valve connector (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a push button (35) configured to allow a user to push the seat (31), the push button (35) being connected to the seat (31) and protruding from the second end (23), and wherein, when the clamping device (30) moves from the clamping position to the release position, the seat (31) and the push button (35) move synchronously toward the first end (22). [8] Valve connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body (20) defines a side channel (24) extending radially to the axis (L), one end defining an air inlet and another end communicating with the channel (21), and wherein the side channel (24) is arranged between the first and second ends (22, 23). [9] Valve connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a sealing ring (314) arranged on an inner circumference of the opening (311) and against which the American valve (90) can bear. [10] Valve connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the channel (21) has a second inner peripheral portion (212) extending circumferentially around the axis (L), and wherein the seat (31) abuts one end of the second inner peripheral portion (212) when the clamping device (30) is in the release position.

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