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US 11,415,253 B2Granted
Quick connect with visual indicator
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorSamuel Jeffrey Tomlinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and assemblies are provided for a quick connect device. In one example, a connector may include a first visual cue for coupling an outer portion to a middle portion and a second visual cue for coupling an inner portion to the middle portion.
Claims15
A quick connect device, comprising:
- a middle portion with a first extendable arm protruding radially outward over a protrusion of an inner portion, and a second flexibly extendable arm above the first arm that is pushed radially outward by the protrusion only when an annular recess of the middle portion is fully engaged with the protrusion;
- and
- a separate, axially aligned outer portion having a window exposing and enabling the second arm of the middle portion to be extended when fully engaged with the inner portion, wherein the first extendable arm protrudes radially outward in a perpendicular direction beyond an outer circumference of the quick connect device.
A quick connect device, comprising:
- a middle portion with a first extendable arm protruding radially outward over a protrusion of an inner portion, and a second flexibly extendable arm above the first arm that is pushed radially outward by the protrusion only when an annular recess of the middle portion is fully engaged with the protrusion;
- and
- a separate, axially aligned outer portion having a window exposing and enabling the second arm of the middle portion to be extended when fully engaged with the inner portion, wherein the middle portion further comprises a pair of tabs located on opposite sides of the middle portion and vertically above the flexible arms.
A connector assembly, comprising:
- an outer portion, a middle locking portion, and an inner portion, where the outer portion and the inner portion couple to the middle locking portion to enclose an annular channel of the inner portion to guide fluid;
- a nozzle fitting of the outer portion horizontal to a central axis of the connector assembly;
- a clip arm of the middle locking portion extending radially outward in a perpendicular direction beyond an outer circumference of the connector assembly in response to the middle locking portion fully engaging with the outer portion;
- and
- an indicating arm of the middle locking portion extending through a viewing window of the outer portion radially outward in a tangential direction beyond the outer circumference in response to the middle locking portion fully engaging with the inner portion of the connector assembly.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.