# US 12,110,999 B2 · Fluid connection assembly

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- Number: US 12,110,999 B2
- Document ID: US12110999B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/246,879
- Filed: 2021-10-21
- Published: 2023-08-17
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-10-26
- Assignees: Oetiker NY, Inc.
- Applicants: Oetiker NY, Inc.
- Inventors: Eric Nowicki; Kristian James Hagen; Hayden Allis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110999B2

## CPC

- 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 37/0885: {with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling}
- 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

A retainer for a fluid connection assembly, including a first end, a second end, a first section, a second section displaceable with respect to the first section, a radially inward facing surface, a radially outward facing surface, and an indicator slidably connected to the first section.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A retainer for a fluid connection assembly, comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a first section;
a second section displaceable with respect to the first section;
a radially inward facing surface;
a radially outward facing surface;
a hole extending radially inward from the radially outward facing surface, the hole including at least one axial flange arranged therein; and
an indicator arranged in the hole and slidably connected to the first section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one axial flange is arranged radially between and spaced apart from the radially outward facing surface and the radially inward facing surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises:
a base arranged radially within the radially inward facing surface;
a shaft connected to the base; and
a head connected to the shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The retainer as recited in claim 3, wherein:
the indicator further comprises at least one arm pivotably connected to the base; and
the at least one arm is operatively arranged to bias the indicator radially inward with respect to the radially inward facing surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The retainer as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one arm is operatively arranged to engage the at least one flange.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The retainer as recited in claim 3, wherein:
in a fully assembled locked state the head protrudes radially outward from the radially outward facing surface; and
in a partially assembled locked state the head does not protrude radially outward from the radially outward facing surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The retainer as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a first flange extending radially inward from the radially inward facing surface at the first end; and
a second flange extending radially inward from the radially inward facing surface at the second end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The retainer as recited in claim 7, wherein the indicator is arranged in the second flange.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The retainer as recited in claim 7, wherein:
the first flange comprises a first width;
the second flange comprises a second width; and
the second width is greater than the first width.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator is biased radially inward with respect to the radially outward facing surface.

### Claim 11

A fluid connection assembly, comprising:
a connector body, including:
a first end;
a second end;
a through-bore; and
a first radially outward facing surface comprising a groove; and
a retainer operatively arranged to be removably connected to the connector body, the retainer including:
a third end;
a fourth end;
a first section;
a second section displaceable with respect to the first section;
a radially inward facing surface;
a second radially outward facing surface;
a hole extending from the second radially outward facing surface to the radially inward facing surface, wherein the hole comprises at least one flange arranged therein; and
an indicator slidably arranged in the hole.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the indicator comprises:
a base arranged radially within the radially inward facing surface;
a shaft connected to the base; and
a head connected to the shaft.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein:
the indicator further comprises at least one arm pivotably connected to the base; and
the at least one arm is operatively arranged to bias the indicator radially inward with respect to the radially inward facing surface.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one arm is operatively arranged to engage the at least one flange.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein:
in a fully assembled locked state the head protrudes radially outward from the radially outward facing surface; and
in a partially assembled locked state the head does not protrude radially outward from the radially outward facing surface.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the retainer further comprises:
a first flange extending radially inward from the radially inward facing surface at the first end; and
a second flange extending radially inward from the radially inward facing surface at the second end, wherein the indicator is arranged in the second flange.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein:
the first flange comprises a first width;
the second flange comprises a second width; and
the second width is greater than the first width.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein in a first state, the indicator does not protrude from the second radially outward facing surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the indicator is biased radially inward with respect to the radially outward facing surface.

### Claim 20

A retainer for a fluid connection assembly, comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a first section;
a second section displaceable with respect to the first section;
a radially inward facing surface;
a radially outward facing surface; and
an indicator slidably connected to the first section, the indicator including:
a base arranged radially within the radially inward facing surface;
a shaft connected to the base; and
a head connected to the shaft;
wherein:
in a fully assembled locked state the head protrudes radially outward from the radially outward facing surface; and
in a partially assembled locked state the head does not protrude radially outward from the radially outward facing surface.