US 4,753,458 A · Quick connector assembly · patentgrep

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Abstract

A quick connector assembly for interconnecting of two conduits in fluid flow relationship is provided. The connector assembly has an elongated tubular housing connected to one conduit and adapted to receive a terminal end portion of another conduit in axially inserted relationship. A retainer cap rotatably attachable to an end of the housing includes a plurality of spring fingers that project axially inwardly of the housing and that engage with an annular ring formed on the axially inserted conduit to mechanically engage therewith and lock together the housing and conduit with a fluid seal provided between the housing and conduit. A visual and tactile indicating mechanism is included to provide a perceivable indication that the housing and conduit are mechanically interlocked. This indicating mechanism includes a spring biased indicator tab which is displaced radially outwardly through an aperture in the wall of the housing where it may be perceived, visually or tactilely, by the annular ring on the conduit when it is inserted into locked engagement. The retainer cap locks onto the housing by locking tabs carried on the housing and projectable through apertures in the cap to provide an indication of locked engagement.

Claims48

Dependent claims

A connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted by resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing;
and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including an indicator tab carrier by support means for displacement between a position where it is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing, said indicator tab being radially displaceable with respect to said housing, and said housing having an aperture formed in the wall thereof through which said indicator tab is projectable.

4 more elements

A connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted by resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing;
and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including an indicator tab carried by support means for displacement between a position where it is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing, said support means for said indicator tab including an elongated arm pivotably secured at one end in supported relationship within said housing for swinging movement about said one end in a direction that is radially oriented with respect to said housing, said indicator tab being carried on said elongated arm in remote relationship to said one end thereof, and said tubular housing being formed with an aperture through which said indicator tab is adapted to be displaced.

4 more elements

A connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted by resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing;
and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including an indicator tab carried by support means for displacement between a position where it is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing, said support means for said indicator tab including an elongated arm pivotably secured at one end in supported relationship within said housing for swinging movement about said one end in a direction that is radially oriented with respect to said housing, said indicator tab being carried on said elongated arm in remote relationship to said one end thereof, and said elongated arm being disposed in axially extending relationship to said housing in a position to contactingly engage said annular ring which said first conduit is operatively inserted into said tubular housing, whereby said arm is flexed radially outwardly and projects at least a portion of said indicator tab exteriorally of said housing.

4 more elements

A connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted by resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing;
and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including an indicator tab carried by support means for displacement between a position where it is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing, said support means for said indicator tab including an elongated arm pivotably secured at one end in supported relationship within said housing for swinging about said one end in a direction that is radially oriented with respect to said housing, said indicator tab being carried on said elongated arm in remote relationship to said one end thereof, and said elongated arm being resiliently biased in a radially inward direction.

4 more elements

A connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted by resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing;
and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said retainer cap resilient retaining means including a plurality of axially extending fingers secured at one end thereof in a circular configuration and projecting a distance inwardly of said housing, the inner end portions of said fingers defining a circular abutment having a diameter less than the diameter of said annular ring for mechanically engaging therewith to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit therethrough.

4 more elements

A quick connection connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) A first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outward from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit and open at one end for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein through said open end in axially extending relationship, said tubular housing having a plurality of projections formed on the exterior thereof in angularly disposed relationship closely adjacent said open end and extending a distance radially outward,
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit, and
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted and having resilient retaining means projecting axially inward of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing, said retainer cap having a recess formed therein for receiving a marginal end portion of said tubular housing and the projections formed thereon and to cooperatively mechanically couple with said projections for maintaining said cap and housing in interconnected relationship and to provide perceivable indication of such interconnected relationship.

2 more elements

A connector assembly for a tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outwardly from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adaptor for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit, whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit and open at one end for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship;
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit;
and
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted and having resilient retaining means projecting axially inwardly of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing, said retainer cap and said tubular housing being provided with cooperative assembly indicator means operable upon interconnection of said cap and said housing for indicating interconnection therebetween, said retainer cap including a peripheral wall adapted to overlie a marginal end portion of said elongated tubular housing at the open end thereof, said cooperative assembly indicator means including at least one projection formed on said elongated tubular housing and extending radially outwardly with respect to the exterior thereof and an aperture formed in the peripheral wall of said retainer cap through which at least a portion of said projection is projectable to the exterior thereof for providing a perceivable indication of interconnection of said retainer cap and said tubular housing.

3 more elements

A quick connection connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outward from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing,
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit,
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted and resilient retaining means projecting axially inward of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing, and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including:
(a) a retainer ring positionable in said elongated tubular housing in fixedly retained relationship thereto,
(b) an elongated arm disposed in axially extending relationship to said housing and pivotably secured at one end in supported relationship on said retainer ring and within said housing for swinging movement about said one end in a direction that is radially oriented with respect to said housing, said elongated arm being resiliently biased in a radially inward direction and including a camming surface facing radially inward of said housing for contacting engagement with said annular ring when said first conduit is operatively inserted into said housing, said elongated arm being normally radially disposed with respect to said housing with its camming surface projected into the path of movement of said annular ring whereby said annular ring will pivot said elongated arm in a radially outward direction, and
(c) an indicator tab carried on said elongated arm in remote relationship to said one end thereof for displacement between a position where it is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing when said elongated arm is cammed radially outward by said annular ring when said annular ring is in locked engagement with said retainer cap.

6 more elements

A quick connection connector assembly for tubular conduit means comprising:

(A) a first tubular conduit having a terminal connector end portion and an annular ring disposed on said end portion in fixed relationship at a predetermined distance from the end thereof, said annular ring projecting a distance radially outward from the conduit, and
(B) a connector fitting adapted for interconnection with a second conduit and with said first conduit whereby fluid may flow through said conduits when interconnected, said connector fitting including:
(1) an elongated tubular housing connectable in fluid flow relationship with said second conduit for receiving the connector end portion of said first tubular conduit therein in axially extending relationship through an open end of said housing, said housing having an aperture formed in the wall thereof,
(2) fluid seal means positioned in said tubular housing in retained relationship for providing a seal between said connector fitting and said first conduit,
(3) a retainer cap adapted to be mechanically interconnected with said tubular housing at an end thereof through which said first conduit is inserted and resilient retaining means projecting axially inward of said housing for locking engagement with said annular ring to prevent withdrawal of said first conduit when operatively inserted into said tubular housing, and
(4) interlock indicating means responsive to positioning of said first conduit in said housing in locked engagement with said retainer cap through mechanical interengagement of said interlock indicating means with the annular ring on said first conduit for providing a perceivable indication of such locked engagement, said interlock indicating means including:
(a) a retainer ring positionable in said elongated tubular housing in fixedly retained relationship thereto,
(b) an elongated arm pivotably secured at one end to said retainer ring by an integral hinge for swinging movement in a radially disposed plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing with the free end of said arm extending toward the open end of said housing, said elongated arm adapted to be contactingly engaged by said annular ring and to be thereby swung radially outward,
(c) an indicator tab carried on said elongated arm in remote relationship to said one end thereof pivotably secured to said retainer ring and at a position where said tab can be radially displaced with respect to said housing projected into said housing aperture, said elongated arm being displaceable between a position where said tab is fully contained within said housing and a position where at least a portion of said tab is disposed exteriorly of said housing when said annular ring is in locked engagement with said retainer cap retaining means, and
(d) resilient biasing means operatively coupled with said indicator tab for urging of said indicator tab in a radially inward direction.

7 more elements

A quick connection connector assembly for tubular conduit means, said assembly comprising:

(a) a first fluid conduit (10) having:
(i) a first bore for the passage of fluid, said first bore having an open extreme end (18) at the distal end of said first fluid conduit (10);
(ii) an annular ring (14) on the external periphery of said first conduit (10);
and
(iii) a terminal end portion (13) projecting beyond said annular ring (14) and ending in said open extreme end (18);
(b) a second fluid conduit (11) having:
(i) a second bore for the passage of fluid, said second bore having an open extreme end at the distal end of said second fluid conduit (11), said second bore comprising, starting from the open extreme end, an outer cylindrical chamber (29), a frusto conical section (30) of decreasing diameter, an inner cylindrical chamber (28), and a cylindrical chamber (39) the diameter of which is less than the diameter said inner cylindrical chamber (28);
(ii) a plurality of sockets (49) extending radially outwardly from said inner cylindrical chamber (28);
and
(iii) a plurality of coupling projections (80) extending radially outwardly from the exterior periphery of said second fluid conduit (11) near its distal end;
(c) a fluid seal means (22) having:
(i) an outer surface sized and shaped to be received in said inner cylindrical chamber (28) in fluid tight engagement with said second fluid conduit (11) and
(ii) an inner surface sized and shaped to receive said terminal end portion (13) of said first fluid conduit (10) in fluid tight engagement;
(d) a seal retainer (23) having:
(i) a cylindrical ring (40) sized and shaped to be received in said inner cylinderical chamber (28), to bear against said fluid seal means (22), and to cause said fluid seal means (22) to bear against an inwardly projecting lip (34) defining the proximal end of said inner chamber (28);
(ii) a plurality of locking lugs (48), each one of said plurality of locking lugs (48) being sized, shaped, and positioned to be received in a corresponding one of said plurality of sockets (49);
and
(iii) a plurality of inwardly projecting, axially extending lands (42), each one of said plurality of inwardly projecting, axially extending lands (42) extending the length of said cylindrical ring (40) and having a concave, inwardly facing surface (43) sized and shaped to receive said terminal end portion (13) of said first fluid conduit (10);
and
(e) a retainer cap (21) comprising:
(i) a radial end wall (75) having a circular aperture (86) therethrough sized and shaped to pass said first fluid conduit (10);
(ii) a peripheral wall (76) projecting axially from said radial end wall (75);
(iii) a plurality of radial apertures (79) formed in said peripheral wall (76), each one of said plurality of radial apertures (79) being sized, shaped, and positioned to receive a corresponding one of said plurality of coupling projections (80);
and
(iv) a plurality of inwardly projecting resilient retaining fingers (85) projecting axially from said radial end wall (75) radially inwardly of said peripheral wall (76), each one of said plurality of inwardly projecting resilient retaining fingers (85) being sized, shaped, and positioned to bear against said first fluid conduit (10) proximally of said annular ring (14).

22 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/097,333Filed 11 Sep 1987 · continuation
Priority: 22 Jul 1985
Granted: 28 Jun 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F16L 37/0987
The flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part: the flexible hook being…
F16L 37/107
Using a rotary external sleeve or ring on one part: bayonet-type couplings
F16L 2201/10
Special arrangements for pipe couplings: indicators for correct coupling
Y10S 285/921
Pipe joints or couplings: snap-fit

Family

Serial757,787Parent of this continuation · filed 22 Jul 1985
Serial901,014Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Aug 1986
US 4,753,458 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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