# US 11,992,646 B2 · Catch assembly for releasably connecting fluid conduits > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,646 B2 - Document ID: US11992646B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/543,417 - Filed: 2021-12-06 - Published: 2022-03-24 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-08 - Assignees: WilMarc Holdings, LLC - Applicants: WilMarc Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Paul C. Ciccone; William A. Coulson; Marcia Coulson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992646B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/26: Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof {(check valves A61M39/24)} - F16L 37/08: in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members (F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence) - F16L 37/36: with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal - A61M 2039/1016: {Unlocking means providing a secure or comfortable disconnection} - A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors} - F17C 2205/037: Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) ## Abstract Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway; a male coupler having a second passageway; and a catch assembly comprising a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, a catch-biasing member which biases the catch, and a follower responsive to a cam, whereby the catch is responsive to the follower and correspondingly, the cam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a connector system for releasably connecting tubes, comprising: providing a female coupler; providing a catch assembly comprising: a catch configured to movably couple to said female coupler; and a catch-biasing member comprising a pair of resiliently flexible arms which outwardly extend from said catch; movably coupling said catch to said female coupler such that said catch is capable of: inward movement toward a female coupler inner space defined by a female coupler inner surface of said female coupler; and outward movement away from said female coupler inner space; and movably coupling a release element to said female coupler, said release element configured to allow said outward movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, said pair of resiliently flexible arms outwardly extending from said catch in opposing directions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, said catch-biasing member disposed opposite a follower. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said catch is movably coupled to said female coupler inner surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein said catch is movably disposed within a channel inset within said female coupler inner surface; and wherein said channel communicates with said female couple inner space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising: providing a male coupler; and coupling a catch-receiving element to said male coupler; wherein upon releasable matable axial coupling of said female and male couplers, said catch engages with said catch-receiving element to fix an axial position of said female coupler in relation to said male coupler. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said catch-receiving element comprises a retention groove disposed within a male coupler outer surface proximate said male coupler matable end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein upon releasable matable axial coupling of said female and male couplers, said retention groove aligns with said channel to allow said catch to move outwardly from said channel and inwardly toward said female coupler inner space for engagement with said retention groove to dispose said catch in an engaged condition to fix said axial position of said female coupler in relation to said male coupler. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said catch is movably coupled to said female coupler such that said catch is capable of movement within in a plane which is generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said female coupler. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein upon releasable matable axial coupling of said female and male couplers, said retention groove, said channel, and said catch align in said plane to allow said catch to move outwardly from said channel and upwardly in said plane for engagement with said retention groove to dispose said catch in said engaged condition to fix said axial position of said female coupler in relation to said male coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said catch-biasing member normally biases said catch inwardly toward said female coupler inner space or upwardly in said plane. ### Claim 12 A method of making a connector system for releasably connecting tubes, comprising: providing a female coupler; providing a catch assembly comprising: a catch configured to movably couple to said female coupler; and a catch-biasing member comprising a pair of resiliently flexible arms which outwardly extend from said catch; and movably coupling said catch to said female coupler; wherein said catch responsive is to a cam; and wherein said cam is provided by a release element movably coupled to said female coupler. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing a male coupler; and coupling a catch-receiving element to said male coupler; wherein upon releasable matable axial coupling of said female and male couplers, said catch engages with said catch-receiving element to fix an axial position of said female coupler in relation to said male coupler.