US 11,143,344 B2Granted

Fluid connection apparatus

OwnerJohn R. Churchill, Jr.inventor

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Abstract

A fluid connection apparatus, in which a carrier body and washer configuration are overmolded together, is configured for use in a fluid transfer assembly. The carrier body may be generally U-shaped, having two substantially parallel portions connected by a bridging portion. Each substantially parallel portion of the fluid connection apparatus includes a washer configuration including one or more washers. The fluid connection apparatus may be used to connect a fluid line fitting to an apparatus intended to provide or receive fluid through the fluid line, using a connector having a fluid passage formed therein. The fluid line fitting is placed between the two substantially parallel portions, and a connector having a fluid passage formed therein is inserted through one side of the fluid connection apparatus, through the fluid line fitting, and through the other side of the fluid connection apparatus. The fluid connection apparatus may include stabilizing features, such as ribs in the bridging portion or enlarged radii, to protect against distortion and breakage.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A fluid connection apparatus to facilitate connection of a fluid line fitting and a connector having a fluid passage formed therein, said fluid connection apparatus comprising:

a first substantially planar portion having an inner first surface, an outer first surface, an upper end, a lower end, and an annular first opening;
a second substantially planar portion having an inner second surface, an outer second surface, an upper end, a lower end, and an annular second opening, said inner second surface facing said inner first surface, said first substantially planar portion and said second substantially planar portion being substantially parallel to each other;
a bridging portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, said bridging portion connecting the upper end of the first substantially planar portion and the upper end of the second substantially planar portion, said bridging portion being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said first substantially planar portion and said second substantially planar portion, said first substantially planar portion being spaced from said second substantially planar portion;
a first, substantially circular washer covering a portion of said outer first surface and of said annular first opening and a second, substantially circular washer covering a portion of said outer second surface and of said annular second opening, wherein said first washer and said second washer have different inner diameters;
said first washer and said second washer each comprising at least:
a first planar segment having a first side, a second side, a first thickness, and a first diameter;
a second planar segment disposed on said first side of said first planar segment and having a second thickness and a second diameter;
and
a third planar segment disposed on said second side of said first planar segment and having a third thickness and a third diameter,
wherein each of said first diameter, said second diameter, and said third diameter is different;
and
wherein said first substantially planar portion and said first washer, and said second substantially planar portion and said second washer, are overmolded together.

9 more elements

A fluid transfer assembly comprising:

a fluid connection apparatus including:
a first substantially planar portion having an inner first surface, an outer first surface, an upper end, a lower end and an annular first opening;
a second substantially planar portion having an inner second surface, an outer second surface, an upper end, a lower end and an annular second opening, said inner second surface facing said inner first surface, said first substantially planar portion and said second substantially planar portion being substantially parallel to each other;
and,
a bridging portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, said bridging portion connecting the upper end of the first substantially planar portion and the upper end of the second substantially planar portion, said bridging portion being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said first substantially planar portion and said second substantially planar portion, said first substantially planar portion being spaced from said second substantially planar portion;
and,
a first washer covering a portion of said outer first surface and of said annular first opening and a second washer covering a portion of said outer second surface and of said annular second opening,
wherein said first substantially planar portion and said first washer, and said second substantially planar portion and said second washer, are overmolded together;
a fluid line fitting positioned between said first substantially planar portion and said second substantially planar portion;
and,
a connector having a fluid passage formed there, said connector inserted through said first substantially planar portion, said fluid line fitting, and said second substantially planar portion.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/870,739Filed 12 Jan 2018
Published: US 2019/0219203 A118 Jul 2019
Granted: 12 Oct 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F16L 27/093
Joints with radial fluid passages: of the "banjo" type, i.e. pivoting right-angle couplings
F16B 43/001
Washers or equivalent devices; Other devices for supporting bolt-heads or nuts: for sealing or insulation
F16L 41/005
Branching pipes; Joining pipes to walls: adjustable and comprising a hollow threaded part in an opening
F16B 2/245
Of sheet metal: external, i.e. with contracting action