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US 6,641,179 B1Granted
Mobile air conditioning system connection having a captured O-ring
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorsRonald Allen Decoteau, Steven Jay Wierlo
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AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorsRonald Allen Decoteau, Steven Jay Wierlo
Estimating the term…
An improved fitting for mobile air conditioning systems is disclosed that reduces the risk of damage to fitting O-rings during assembly, the fitting male member being compatible with the fitting female member of many existing fittings currently in service. In particular, the male fitting (152) is compatible with female fitting (72) that comply with the IMACA 305 Standard. The male fitting includes a circumferential bead (158) that engages the distal end of the female member, an intermediate tubular portion (155) that extends distally from the bead, a tubular pilot portion (156) that extends distally from the intermediate portion, and a retainer bead (157) disposed between the intermediate and pilot portions. The retainer bead is positioned to retain the O-ring (51) near the circumferential bead, without interfering with proper compression of the O-ring, and full insertion of the male member into the female member.
An improved mobile air conditioning male fitting of the type having a pilot portion that extends distally from a circumferential bead and that is compatible with existing female fittings, the improvement comprising a retainer bead disposed on the pilot portion, the retainer bead having a size and position such that it does not interfere with compression of an O-ring disposed on the pilot portion adjacent the circumferential bead, and does not interfere with full insertion of the male fitting into the female fitting;
A fitting for mobile air conditioning systems comprising a female member having a tubular distal portion with an inside diameter and a male member having a tubular pilot portion with an outside diameter and a circumferential bead, the distal portion, the pilot portion, and the circumferential bead defining a gland for compressively accommodating an O-ring, wherein the pilot portion further comprises a retainer bead disposed distally from the circumferential bead, the retainer bead sized and positioned to retain the O-ring near the circumferential bead during assembly without interfering with compression of the O-ring and without interfering with fully inserting the male member into the female member;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.