# US 12,000,513 B2 · Quick connector assembly for fluid lines with positive assurance feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,513 B2 - Document ID: US12000513B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/130,982 - Filed: 2023-04-05 - Published: 2023-08-03 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-26 - Assignees: Dlhbowles, Inc. - Applicants: Dlhbowles, Inc. - Inventors: Scott Lanterman; Alan Romack; Praveen Pai; Bryan Fung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000513B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/0841: {by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube} - F16L 37/1225: {using a retaining member the extremities of which, e.g. in the form of a U, engage behind a shoulder of both parts} - F16L 37/144: {the securing element being U-shaped} - F16L 2201/10: Indicators for correct coupling - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract Provided is a quick connector assembly for joining a male member and a female connector member together to secure fluid communication in a fluid line system. The quick connector assembly includes a primary latch and a secondary latch configured to toggle between engaged and disengaged positions and to allow for a visual, audible, and/or tactile indication as to the status of a secure attachment between a male member and a female connector member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A quick connector assembly comprising: a tubular housing, defining a lumen extending along an axis, having: a first open end with a larger inner diameter than an opposing second open end, a slot passing through a sidewall of the housing, and a shoulder on an inner facing of the lumen; a retaining sleeve, coaxially received within the housing and conforming to the housing to define a portion of the lumen, having: a base seated on the shoulder, a axially compressible, biasing midsection extending toward the first open end, and an upper abutment including a blocking member; and a latching assembly, seated in the slot, having: a body defining a central aperture, a primary latching mechanism, and a secondary latching mechanism including a slidable member, wherein the central aperture and the primary latching mechanism each conform to the housing to define a section of the lumen and wherein the slidable member selectively translates through the slot to engage the blocking member when the biasing midsection is compressed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the slot extends completely through a first sidewall and an opposing sidewall of the housing along an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the axis and wherein the first primary latching mechanism is seated in the first sidewall and the slidable member translastes through the opposing sidewall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2 wherein the primary latching mechanism includes at least one elongated biasing leg. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2 wherein the secondary latching mechanism includes at least one extension leg extending parallel to the slidable member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one extension leg includes an angled terminal end and wherein the at least one extension leg snap fits onto a corresponding feature on the primary latch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one o-ring positioned adjacent to the retaining sleeve along the inner facing of the lumen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the secondary latch translates along a mating surface of the primary latch so that the latching assembly is received in one slot formed in one section of the sidewall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7 wherein the primary and secondary latching mechanisms are aligned along a common side on the housing so that the one slot is disposed only in the common side. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a hose member, received coaxially through the first open end, having: a radially enlarged portion configured to engage and compress the upper abutment and a first facing of the enlarged portion, wherein the slidable member engages and retains an opposing facing of the enlarged portion when the biasing midsection is sufficiently compressed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly of claim 9 wherein the hose member extends axially down into the lumen so that a lower terminal edge of the hose member is positioned at an elevation below the shoulder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper abutment terminates at an elevation that coincides with the slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1 wherein a portion of the latching assembly extends radially to a maximum distance from an exterior of the housing to indicate the slidable member is disengaged. ### Claim 13 A quick connector assembly comprising: a tubular housing, defining a lumen extending along an axis, having: a first open end with a larger inner diameter than an opposing second open end, a slot passing through a sidewall of the housing, and a shoulder on an inner facing of the lumen; a retaining sleeve, coaxially received within the housing and conforming to the housing to define a portion of the lumen, having: a base seated on the shoulder, a axially compressible, biasing midsection extending toward the first open end, and an upper abutment including a blocking member; a latching assembly, seated in the slot, having: a body defining a central aperture and a slidable member, wherein the central aperture conforms to the housing to define a section of the lumen and wherein the slidable member selectively translates through the slot to engage the blocking member when the biasing midsection is compressed; and wherein the base includes at least one axially extending spacer configured to limit axial movement of the blocking member when the biasing midsection is compressed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13 wherein the retaining sleeve includes a radial protrusion extending away from the base configured to engage the shoulder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13 wherein the retaining sleeve includes an indexing notch conforming to a cooperating feature on the inner facing of the lumen. ### Claim 16 A quick connector assembly comprising: a tubular housing, defining a lumen extending along an axis, having: a first open end with a larger inner diameter than an opposing second open end, a slot passing through a sidewall of the housing, and a shoulder on an inner facing of the lumen; a retaining sleeve, coaxially received within the housing and conforming to the housing to define a portion of the lumen, having: a base seated on the shoulder, a axially compressible, biasing midsection extending toward the first open end, and an upper abutment including a blocking member; a latching assembly, seated in the slot, having: a body defining a central aperture and a slidable member, wherein the central aperture conforms to the housing to define a section of the lumen and wherein the slidable member selectively translates through the slot to engage the blocking member when the biasing midsection is compressed; and a retention annulus defining a portion of the lumen and positioned at an elevation below the retaining sleeve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16 wherein a plurality of o-rings are positioned axially above and below the retention annulus.