Quick connector with verifier

Abstract

A quick connector assembly and process for forming a coupling in a fluid line between a first and a second fluid tube comprises a receptacle body having a cavity extending through the receptacle body to the second fluid tube. A sealing section is located within the cavity and a socket portion extends from the sealing section. The socket portion includes wall bordering a socket opening in alignment with the cavity and includes a pair of latch openings extending through a portion of the wall into the socket opening. A sealing member having a receiver opening is installed in the sealing section with the receiver opening in alignment with the socket opening and the cavity to the second tube. A bracket installed on the wall includes a pair of spring latches, each spring latch extending through a respective one of the pair of latch openings into the socket opening. A first fluid tube having an insertion portion and a raised upset is placed through the socket opening into the receiver opening making a fluid connection to the second fluid tube and causing the upset to be captured by each spring latch. A verifier having fixing fingers and a pair of arms is installed through respective recesses in the wall into the socket opening. Upon the capture of the first fluid tube upset by the spring latches, a force applied to the verifier causes each verifier arm to travel along the upset to rest below a respective spring latch and the fixing fingers to also capture the upset. Verifier symbols located on a surface of each verifier arm are visible through each latch openings verifying that the first fluid tube has been coupled to the receptacle body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.