Fluid line locking structure
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorEllis Junior Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A simple twist and lock or unlock structure is provided for use with high pressure hydraulic lines used on small vehicles such as Lawn and Garden tractors. The locking structure utilizes the combination of a tab and slotted member secured to adjacent end portions of the hydraulic lines to releasably secure them together. No tools are required to rotatably manipulate the locking structure into its locked or unlocked position. With this structure, no clamping hardware is needed to secure the lines together nor are any anchoring brackets required to mount the lines to the vehicle or its components. Accordingly, leaks caused by engine vibrations or vehicle encounters with small obstacles are minimized.
Claims7
Locking structure for securing the end portion of one circular tube within the end portion of an other tube, said tubes each having an outer surface and a central axis, said structure comprising
- a slotted member carried by the outer surface of the one tube;
- a tab carried by the outer surface of the other tube for releasable engagement with the slotted member when the end portion of the one tube is positioned within the end portion of the other tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.