# US 2026/0061176 A1 · Locking connector coupling assembly

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- Number: US 2026/0061176 A1
- Document ID: US20260061176A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 19/382,142
- Filed: 2025-11-06
- Published: 2026-03-05
- Earliest claimed: 2023-05-09
- Assignees: CareFusion 303, Inc.
- Applicants: Carefusion 303, Inc.
- Inventors: Prabhath KAKARAPARTHI; Niranjan LEKKALA; Thotapalli SURYAKIRAN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260061176A1

## CPC

- A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)}
- A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A coupler having a first connector including a first end having an inlet and a second end opposite the first end having an opening. The first connector including at least one engaging member disposed between the first end and the second end. The coupler having a second connector including a body extending from an outlet portion. The body configured to be at least partially inserted into the opening to couple the second connector to the first connector. The outlet portion including at least one arm having a securing member configured to engage with the engaging member to secure the first connector to the second connector. When the second connector is coupled to the first connector, the outlet portion is exposed. The first connector is configured to decouple from the second connector in response to a pullout force exceeding a predetermined threshold force.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A locking connector coupling assembly comprising a first connector configured to decouple from a second connector in response to a pullout force exceeding a predetermined threshold force, wherein:
the first connector comprises an inlet, an opening, and at least one engaging member disposed therebetween,
the second connector comprises a body, an outlet portion, and at least one arm, each arm comprising:
a first portion that extends radially away from the body;
a second portion that extends radially inward and comprises a securing member; and
a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector further comprises a coupling portion disposed between the inlet and the engaging member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 2, wherein the coupling portion comprises a threaded portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing member comprises a protrusion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises at least one groove circumferentially disposed on the first connector and sized and shaped to receive and secure the protrusion of the at least one arm when the second connector is coupled to first connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing member comprises a recess.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises at least one edge circumferentially disposed on the first connector and sized and shaped to receive and secure the edge when the second connector is coupled to first connector.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises at least one groove circumferentially disposed on the first connector.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises at least one edge circumferentially disposed on the first connector.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector further comprises an additional opening, and the body is disposed between the additional opening and the outlet portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the outlet portion includes an outlet that is fluidly connected to the additional opening via a channel that extends through the body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the additional opening is fluidly connected to the inlet when the first connector is coupled to the second connector.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm is biased radially inward and is configured to deflect radially outward.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing member disengages from the engaging member in response to the pullout force exceeding the predetermined threshold force.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector is configured to remain coupled to the second connector when the pullout force does not exceed the predetermined threshold force.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein each arm further comprises a first inflection point between the first portion and the second portion and a second inflection point between the second portion and the third portion.

### Claim 17

A locking connector coupling assembly comprising:
a first connector comprising a coupling portion with an inlet, an opening, and at least one engaging member disposed on the first connector body; and
a second connector comprising a body and an outlet portion comprising an outlet and at least one arm, each arm comprising:
a first portion that extends radially away from the body;
a second portion that extends radially inward and comprises a securing member; and
a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion,
wherein the body is configured to be at least partially inserted into the opening to couple the second connector to the first connector,
wherein when the second connector is coupled to the first connector, the outlet portion is exposed and a fluid pathway between the inlet and the outlet,
wherein the first connector is configured to decouple from the second connector in response to a pullout force exceeding a predetermined threshold force.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein each arm further comprises a first inflection point between the first portion and the second portion and a second inflection point between the second portion and the third portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one engaging member comprises at least one groove or at least one edge and is circumferentially disposed on the first connector.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The locking connector coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein the securing member comprises a protrusion or a recess configured to engage with the at least one engaging member.
