US 7,118,138 B1Granted

Quick connect fastener and connection

AssigneeMercury Plastics, Inc.

InventorsWilliam W. Rowley, Raymond Grella, Jim Kubes

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Abstract

A connecting fastener is provided. The fastener includes a cylindrical base that includes a first end and a second end and a wall. A central bore is defined in the base and an aperture is defined in the wall. At least one projection extends from an inner surface of the wall into the central bore proximate the first end of the base. A cylindrical collar has a first end disposed proximate the second end of the base, defines a central bore and includes a wall that defines a gap in the wall and a central bore. A shoulder is connected to and extends between the second end of the base and the first end of the collar along at least a portion of the respective circumferences of the base and the collar. A method of connecting tubing is also provided.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A fastened tubing connection, comprising:

(a) a tube, including:
(i) a shaft with an operational end;
and
(ii) a sealing surface on the shaft proximate the operational end, wherein the sealing surface includes a shoulder;
(b) a connector member, including:
(i) a cylindrical base that includes a first end, a second end and a wall having a gap in the wall and a first central bore;
(ii) at least two uniformly spaced projections, extending from an inner surface of the wall into the first central bore proximate the first end of the base;
(iii) a cylindrical collar that includes a first end disposed proximate the second end of the base and a wall with an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the wall of the cylindrical base, wherein the wall defines the gap and the collar defines a second central bore;
and
(iv) a shoulder connected to and extending between the second end of the base and the first end of the collar along at least a portion of the respective circumferences of the base and the collar;
(c) a receiving member, including:
(i) a cylindrical body that includes a first end, a second end and an outer diameter that is less than the distance between the at least two uniformly spaced projections on the base of the connector member across the diameter of the first central bore, and defines a third central bore;
and
(ii) means to engage at least a portion of the body of the receiving member in the first central bore;
and
(d) whereby the sealing surface of the tube passes through the aperture in the base of the connector member into the first central bore and the shaft of the tube above the shoulder passes through the gap in the collar to the second central bore, allowing the shoulder of the sealing surface to contact an end surface of the collar at the first end of the collar of the connector member, and the receiving member secures the shoulder and end surface in contact with one another by receiving the operational end of the shaft in the third central bore while the means to engage the receiving member in the first central bore are engaged.

13 more elements

A fastened tubing connection, comprising:

(a) a tube, including:
(i) a shaft with an operational end;
and
(ii) a sealing surface on the shaft proximate the operational end, wherein the sealing surface includes a shoulder;
(b) a connector member, including:
(i) a cylindrical base that includes a first end, a second end and a wall;
(ii) at least two uniformly spaced projections, extending from an inner surface of the wall into the first central bore proximate the first end of the base;
(iii) a cylindrical collar that includes a first end disposed proximate the second end of the base and a wall with an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the wall of the cylindrical base;
and
(iv) a shoulder connected to and extending between the second end of the base and the first end of the collar along at least a portion of the respective circumferences of the base and the collar;
(c) a receiving member, including:
(i) a cylindrical body that includes a first end, a second end and an outer diameter that is less than the distance between the at least two uniformly spaced projections on the base of the connector member across the diameter of the first central bore, and defines a third central bore;
and
(ii) means to engage at least a portion of the body of the receiving member in the first central bore;
and
(d) whereby the sealing surface of the tube passes through the aperture in the base of the connector member into the first central bore and the shaft of the tube above the sealing surface shoulder passes through the collar to the second central bore, allowing the shoulder of the sealing surface to contact an end surface of the collar at the first end of the collar of the connector member, and the receiving member secures the shoulder and end surface in contact with one another by receiving the operational end of the shaft in the third central bore while the means to engage the receiving member in the first central bore are engaged.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/605,279Filed 19 Sep 2003
Granted: 10 Oct 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F16L 37/244
In which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet-action: the…
F16B 7/0406
Clamping or clipping connections: for rods or tubes being coaxial
F16B 21/02
Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it ; Stud-and-socket releasable…
Y10T 403/7005
Interfitted members: lugged member, rotary engagement