US 12,092,180 B2Granted

Torque limiting connector

AssigneeCareFusion 303, Inc.

InventorGilbert Leung

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Abstract

A connector includes an outer connector, an inner connector, and a clutch that can collectively limit a torque transmitted through the connector, the outer connector can include a profile disposed on an inner surface thereof, and the inner connector may be disposed within the outer connector and can include an upper threaded portion and a lower threaded portion. The clutch can be disposed around and rotationally coupled to the inner connector and can include a plurality of clutch teeth extending from an outer surface of the clutch, wherein the plurality of clutch teeth are outwardly biased to be releasably engaged with the profile of the outer connector, and the plurality of clutch teeth can be configured to transfer torque from the outer connector to the inner connector when the torque is below a torque limit and prevent transfer of torque when the torque exceeds the torque limit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A torque limiting connector, comprising:

an inner connector comprising an upper threaded portion, a lower threaded portion, and a flange extending radially outward in direction away from an outer surface of the inner connector;
a clutch rotationally coupled with the inner connector and axially aligned between the lower threaded portion and the flange, the clutch comprising a plurality of outwardly biased clutch teeth extending from an outer surface of the clutch;
and
an outer connector concentrically disposed about the inner connector and the clutch, and snap fit over the flange to axially retain the outer connector relative to the inner connector, the outer connector comprising an inner surface having a profile releasably engaged by the outwardly biased clutch teeth;
wherein the plurality of clutch teeth is configured to transfer an operational torque from the outer connector to the inner connector when the operational torque is below a torque limit, and the plurality of clutch teeth are forced inward to disengage the profile of the outer connector and resist transfer of the operational torque from the outer connector to the inner connector when the operational torque exceeds the torque limit.

2 more elements

A method of providing a torque limiting connector, the method comprising:

providing an inner connector comprising an upper threaded portion, a lower threaded portion, and a flange extending radially outward in direction away from an outer surface of the inner connector;
providing a clutch rotationally coupled with the outer surface of the inner connector, and axially aligned between the lower threaded portion and the flange;
and
providing an outer connector concentrically disposed about the inner connector and the clutch, and snap fit over the flange to axially retain the outer connector relative to the inner connector, wherein a plurality of outwardly biased clutch teeth extending from an outer surface of the clutch are releasably engaged against an inner surface of the outer connector having a profile;
wherein the plurality of clutch teeth is configured to transfer an operational torque from the outer connector to the inner connector when the operational torque is below a torque limit, and to bias radially inward toward the inner connector to disengage the profile of the outer connector and prevent transfer of the operational torque when the operational torque exceeds the torque limit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/449,201Filed 14 Aug 2023 · continuation
Priority: 27 Feb 2019
Published: US 2023/0003262 A17 Dec 2023
Granted: 17 Sep 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F16D 7/002
Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock: the torque being transmitted and limited by yielding of an elastomeric race
F16D 7/048
Of the ratchet type: with parts moving radially between engagement and disengagement
A61M 39/1011
Tube connectors or tube couplings: locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties
A61M 39/1033
Tube connectors or tube couplings: swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors or bayonet-connectors

Family

Application16/287,913Parent of this division · filed 27 Feb 2019
Application17/941,998Parent of this continuation · filed 9 Sep 2022
US 11,441,611 B2Parent of this division · filed 13 Sep 2022
US 2023/0392650 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Dec 2023
US 11,767,886 B2Parent of this continuation
Application17/941,998Parent of this division
US 2020/0271171 A1Published application
US 2023/0003262 A1Published application
US 12,092,180 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.