Connector having a guided pilot
AssigneeCooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
InventorsKenneth J. Gocha, Stephen S. Frederiksen, Christian A. Veraza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector and process for coupling a tube and the resulting assembly is disclosed. A receptacle includes a pilot in a mounting position. The pilot including an indicator piece and guide members each located in a respective channel on the receptacle and slidable within the channels from the mounting position to a final position. A retention clip having legs is urged into a spread condition during a transition between the mounting position and the final position wherein in the final position the legs of the retention clip retract to a relaxed condition, the indicator piece becomes visible on the receptacle and the first and second guide members latch the pilot to the receptacle.
Claims20
A connector comprising a receptacle including pilot in a mounting position, said pilot including:
- an indicator piece slidable from said mounting position to a final position;
- first and second guide members located in second and third channels on said receptacle each of said first and second guide members slidable in their respective channel from said mounting position to said final position;
- a retention clip having legs that are urged into a spread condition during a transition between said mounting position and said final position;
- and
- in said final position said pilot is past said legs of the retention clip, wherein said legs of said retention clip retract to a relaxed condition and said indicator piece is visibly located on said receptacle and said first and second guide members latch said pilot to said receptacle.
An assembly of a connector and a tube, said assembly comprising:
- a receptacle including a pilot in a mounting position and slidable to a final position upon insertion of said tube into said receptacle, thereby urging legs of a retention clip into a spread condition while said pilot is sliding from said mounting position into said final position;
- first and second guide members attached to said pilot, said first and second guide members located in second and third channels on said receptacle and each of said first and second guide members slidable in their respective channel from said mounting position to said final position;
- and
- an indicator piece attached to said pilot, said indicator piece located in a first channel;
- wherein said first and second guide members latch said pilot to said receptacle and said indicator piece becomes visibly positioned on said receptacle when said pilot slides past the legs of the retention clip permitting the legs of said retention clip to retract to a relaxed condition when said pilot is in said final position.
A process for coupling a tube comprising:
- inserting a tube into a female end of a receptacle to a mounting position that engages a pilot mounted in said receptacle, said pilot including an indicator piece and first and second guide member located in respective channels on said receptacle said indicator piece not visible in said mounting position;
- further inserting said tube into said female end of said receptacle to cause the legs of a retention clip into a spread condition while said pilot is transitioning from said mounting position to a final position, said pilot guided by said indicator piece and said guide members during the transition;
- and
- fully inserting said tube into said receptacle to a final position permitting said legs of said retention clip to retract to a relaxed condition causing the indicator piece to become visible indicating that the tube is coupled to the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.