# US 2017/0254459 A1 · Pipe connector and electronic device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0254459 A1 - Document ID: US20170254459A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/203,018 - Filed: 2016-07-06 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-03 - Assignees: Cooler Master Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Cooler Master Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Hsin-Hung CHEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254459A1 ## CPC - F16L 37/084: combined with automatic locking - F16L 37/23: by means of balls - F16L 37/35: at least one of the valves having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures - H05K 7/20218: {using a liquid coolant without phase change in electronic enclosures (in cabinets of standardized dimensions H05K7/20536; in server cabinets H05K7/20709; in vehicle electronic casings H05K7/20845; in power control electronics H05K7/2089; in displays H05K7/20954)} - H05K 7/20272: {Accessories for moving fluid, for expanding fluid, for connecting fluid conduits, for distributing fluid, for removing gas or for preventing leakage, e.g. pumps, tanks or manifolds} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A pipe connector for connecting with an additional pipe connector includes a first leak-proof pipe, a first sleeve, at least one clamping element and a restricting structure. The first sleeve covers the first leak-proof pipe and allows the first leak-proof pipe to relatively slide therein. The clamping element and the restricting structure are disposed on the first sleeve. The restricting structure is capable of driving the clamping element to clamp or release the additional pipe connector at different positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pipe connector for connecting with an additional pipe connector, the pipe connector comprising: a first leak-proof pipe; a first sleeve covering the first leak-proof pipe and allowing the first leak-proof pipe to relatively slide in the first sleeve; at least a clamping element disposed on the first sleeve; and a restricting structure disposed on the first sleeve, wherein the restricting structure is capable of driving the clamping element to clamp or release the additional pipe connector at different positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the first sleeve comprises at least a through hole penetrating through inner and outer wall surfaces of the first sleeve, and the clamping element is disposed in the through hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pipe connector according to claim 2, wherein the restricting structure is slidingly disposed on the first sleeve and comprises: a concave portion configured for accommodating the clamping element so as to release the additional pipe connector; and a protruding portion configured for pushing the clamping element toward an inside portion of the first sleeve so as to clamp the additional pipe connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pipe connector according to claim 3, wherein the restricting structure further comprises: a sleeve body, wherein the concave portion and the protruding portion are disposed in the sleeve body; and a pushing rod having one end contacting against the sleeve body; wherein when the protruding portion pushes the clamping element toward the inside portion of the first sleeve, the pushing rod is pushed to move the sleeve body with relative to the first sleeve, and the concave portion receives the clamping element so as to release the additional connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The pipe connector according to claim 2, wherein the clamping element is a ball, which is restricted within the through hole by the restricting element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The pipe connector according to claim 2, wherein the first sleeve comprises: a front-end pipe body having a first inner diameter, wherein the through hole is formed on the front-end pipe body; and a middle pipe body having a second inner diameter, wherein the middle pipe body is located at a deeper part of the first sleeve than the front-end pipe body, the first inner diameter is larger than the second inner diameter, the second inner diameter matches with an outer diameter of the additional pipe connector, and the front-end pipe body and the middle pipe body have chambers for accommodating the additional pipe connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pipe connector according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic element having two ends connecting to the first sleeve and the restricting structure, respectively; and a stop ring disposed near to an opening of the first sleeve for preventing the restricting structure from leaving the first sleeve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the additional pipe connector comprises a second sleeve and a second leak-proof pipe; wherein the second sleeve is inserted into the first sleeve along an axial direction of the first sleeve; wherein the first leak-proof pipe is contact against the second leak-proof pipe and then the second sleeve is inserted into a deeper place of the first sleeve until the clamping element clamps the second sleeve; and wherein when the clamping element clamps the second sleeve, the restricting structure is pushed along the axial direction so as to make the clamping element to release the second sleeve. ### Claim 9 A pipe connector, comprising: a second leak-proof pipe; and a second sleeve covering the second leak-proof pipe and allowing the second leak-proof pipe to relatively slide in the second sleeve, wherein the second sleeve comprises: a wedged portion disposed on the second sleeve for locking with a clamping element of an additional pipe connector; wherein the additional pipe connector comprises: a first leak-proof pipe; a first sleeve covering the first leak-proof pipe and allowing the first leak-proof pipe to relatively slide in the first sleeve, wherein the clamping element is disposed on the first sleeve; and a restricting structure disposed on the first sleeve, wherein the restricting structure is capable of driving the clamping element to clamp or release the pipe connector at different positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pipe connector according to claim 9, wherein the second sleeve further comprises: a front-end pipe body having a first inner diameter and comprising a leak-proof protruding portion, wherein the leak-proof protruding portion is formed close to an inner opening of the front-end pipe body; and a middle pipe body having a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter, and the wedged portion is disposed at outside of the middle pipe body. ### Claim 11 An electronic device have a pipe connector for connecting with an additional pipe connector, the pipe connector comprising: a first leak-proof pipe; a first sleeve covering the first leak-proof pipe and allowing the first leak-proof pipe to relatively slide in the first sleeve; at least a clamping element disposed on the first sleeve; and a restricting structure disposed on the first sleeve, wherein the restricting structure is capable of driving the clamping element to clamp or release the additional pipe connector at different positions.