US 6,682,100 B2 · Connection block with clip

Abstract

A mounting device for mounting a tube to a refrigeration system component includes a connecting block and a clip, where the clip is inserted into a U-shaped recess in the block essentially perpendicular to the axis of the connecting block. The connecting block includes a body having end surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the body, and a U-shaped recess axially interconnecting the surfaces and opening outwardly from a side of the body for receipt of the tube. A U-shaped channel in the recess faces outwardly from the recess. The clip has a U-shaped body, and a pair of resilient tabs extend outwardly from the body in parallel relation to one another. The tabs of the clip are closely received in opposite sides of the U-shaped channel and the channel can be coined to retain the clip within the body. The tabs are bent inwardly toward one another by the curved inner end of the channel to facilitate retaining the clip within the channel. The clip and tube also include cooperating geometries to rotationally orient and axially locate the tube within the connecting block. The sides of the extension fit tightly within the opening of the U-shaped recess to retain the clip within the connecting block.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A connecting block apparatus for a pair of tubes, the connecting block apparatus comprising:

an elongated body having first and second end surfaces a first circular opening interconnecting the surfaces along an axis of the body toward one side of the body for receipt of a first of the tubes;
a second circular opening axially interconnecting the surfaces in the central portion of the body for receipt of an attachment device;
and a U-shaped recess axially interconnecting the surfaces toward an other side of the body for receipt of a second of the tubes, the U-shaped recess opening outwardly from the other side of the body for receipt of a second of the tubes, and including a U-shaped channel formed in the recess perpendicular to the axis of the body and facing outwardly from the recess;
and
a clip adapted to be received in the U-shaped recess by inserting the clip into the U-shaped channel substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body to retain the second tube in the body, the clip including a body comprising a pair of parallel tabs and a pair of flat side surfaces projecting normal to the tabs and extending away from the U-shaped channel, the flat side surfaces closely fitting within the U-shaped recess such that the clip is tightly held in the recess.

2 more elements

An assembly comprising a connecting block, a U-shaped clip, a first tube held in a first opening in the connecting block, and a second tube held in a U-shaped recess in the connecting block by the clip, the connecting block including a body having first and second end surfaces extending generally in parallel relation to one another and perpendicular to an axis of the body, and a side surface extending around the periphery of the body and interconnecting the end surfaces, a U-shaped recess axially interconnecting the end surfaces and opening to the side surface of the body generally perpendicular to the end surfaces and receiving the second tube, the U-shaped recess including a U-shaped channel circumscribing the recess perpendicular to the axis and facing outwardly from the recess toward the side surface;

and the clip closely received hi the U-shaped recess by inserting the clip into the U-shaped channel substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body, the clip engaging the second tube and retaining the second tube in the connecting block, the clip further including a body comprising a pair of parallel tabs and a pair of flat side surfaces projecting normal to the tabs and extending away from the U-shaped channel, the flat side surfaces closely fitting within the U-shaped recess such that the clip is tightly held in the recess.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connection block with clip

Life of this patent

Connection block with clip

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31