Ferrule-free hose fittings

Abstract

A garden hose fitting comprising an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first axial end, a second axial end, one of ( 1 ) an externally threaded male hose connector, and ( 2 ) an internally threaded female hose connector adjacent the first axial end, and interior annular hose-grip ridges adjacent the second end, an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of the body intermediate its ends, and an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder, extending axially toward the second body end, and spaced radially inwardly of the body to form a cylindrical, hose-receiving and retaining cavity between the ridges and the sleeve.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A garden hose fitting comprising: 
 an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first axial end, a second axial end, a polygonal outer peripheral portion between said ends and having adjacent said first axial end one of an externally threaded male hose connector, and an internally threaded female hose connector, and an interior, peripheral plurality of radially inwardly projecting, annular hose-grip ridges extending axially inwardly of said second end and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the garden hose fitting;    said body having an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of said body intermediate said ends; and    an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder, extending axially toward said second end, and being spaced radially inwardly of said body to form a cylindrical hose-receiving cavity between said plurality of ridges and said sleeve.    
     
     
         2 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is crimp fitted onto said annular shoulder.  
     
     
         3 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is the only element contacted by water flowing through the fitting.  
     
     
         4 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 2  wherein said hose connector is one of an integral male connector, and a female connector.  
     
     
         5 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 4  wherein said female connector has an annular, radially-inwardly extending flange, said shoulder having an annular, radially-outwardly opening groove, and said annular flange interfitting into said annular groove.  
     
     
         6 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve extends axially at least to said second axial end.  
     
     
         7 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 6  wherein said sleeve extends axially beyond said second axial end.  
     
     
         8 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 1  wherein said body and said sleeve are metal, and said sleeve is the only element contacted by water flowing through the fitting.  
     
     
         9 . A garden hose fitting comprising: 
 an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first axial end and a second axial end having adjacent said first axial end one of an externally threaded male hose connector, and an internally threaded female hose connector, and having interior, peripheral, radially inwardly projecting hose-grip ridges adjacent said second end and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the garden hose fitting;    said body having an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of said body intermediate said ends; and an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder, extending axially toward said second end, and being spaced radially inwardly of said body to form a cylindrical, hose-receiving and retaining cavity between said plurality of ridges and said sleeve.    
     
     
         10 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 9  wherein said sleeve is crimp fitted onto said annular shoulder.  
     
     
         11 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 9  wherein said sleeve is the only element contacted by water flowing through the fitting.  
     
     
         12 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 10  wherein said hose connector is one of an integral male connector, and a female connector.  
     
     
         13 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 10  wherein said hose connector is a female connector.  
     
     
         14 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 12  wherein said female connector has an annular, radially-inwardly extending flange, said shoulder having an annular, radially-outwardly opening groove, and said annular flange interfitting into said annular groove.  
     
     
         15 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 9  wherein said sleeve extends axially at least to said second axial end.  
     
     
         16 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 14  wherein said sleeve extends axially beyond said second axial end.  
     
     
         17 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 9  wherein said body and said sleeve are metal and said sleeve is the only element contacted by water flowing through the fitting.  
     
     
         18 . (New) A garden hose fitting comprising: 
 an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first axial end, a second axial end, a polygonal outer peripheral portion between said ends and having adjacent said first axial end an internally threaded female hose connector having an annular radially-inwardly extending flange, and an interior, peripheral plurality of radially inwardly projecting, annular hose-grip ridges extending axially inwardly of said second end;    said body having an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of said body intermediate said ends, said shoulder having a radially-outwardly opening groove and said annular flange interfitting into said annular groove; and    an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder, extending axially toward said second end, and being spaced radially inwardly of said body to form a cylindrical hose-receiving cavity between said plurality of ridges and said sleeve.    
     
     
         19 . A garden hose fitting comprising: 
 an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first axial end and a second axial end having adjacent said first axial end an internally threaded female hose connector having an annular radially-inwardly extending flange, and having interior, peripheral, radially inwardly projecting hose-grip ridges adjacent said second end;    said body having an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of said body intermediate said ends, said shoulder having a radially-outwardly opening groove and said annular flange interfitting into said annular groove; and    an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder, extending axially toward said second end, and being spaced radially inwardly of said body to form a cylindrical, hose-receiving and retaining cavity between said plurality of ridges and said sleeve.    
     
     
         20 . A garden hose fitting comprising: 
 an axially elongated cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, a polygonal outer peripheral portion between said first and second ends and having adjacent said first end one of an externally threaded male hose connector and an internally threaded female hose connector, and an interior peripheral plurality of inwardly projecting annular hose-grip ridges extending axially inwardly of said second end;    said body having an annular shoulder projecting radially inwardly of said body intermediate said first and second ends;    an axially elongated support sleeve having an annular collar tightly fitted onto said annular shoulder extending axially toward said second end, and being spaced radially inwardly of said body to form a cylindrical hose receiving cavity between said plurality of ridges and said sleeve, said plurality of ridges and said body adapted so that said hose receiving cavity is capable of receiving a standard garden hose.    
     
     
         21 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 20  wherein said sleeve is crimp fitted onto said annular shoulder.  
     
     
         22 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 20  wherein said sleeve is the only element contacted by water flowing though the fitting.  
     
     
         23 . The garden hose hitting in  claim 21  wherein said hose connector is one of an integral male connector, and a female connector.  
     
     
         24 . The garden hose fitting in  claim 20  wherein said sleeve extends axially at least to said second axial end.