Back to results
US 7,731,244 B2Granted
Make-brake connector assembly with opposing latches
AssigneeCoolSystems, Inc.
InventorsRobert H J Miros, Margaret Birmingham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A make-break connector assembly having a latching mechanism integral to the top and bottom of the housing. The connector assembly includes connectors for fluid or air flow. The connector assembly has a single button release to release both the top and bottom latches.
Claims13
A connector assembly comprising:
- a top housing shell having a top latch opening and latch release button opening;
- a bottom housing shell having a bottom latch opening;
- a top latch assembly affixed to the top housing shell, the top latch assembly comprising:
- a latch release button;
- a top latch;
- and
- at least one elongated arm;
- wherein the top latch extends through the top latch opening in the top housing shell, and the latch release button extends through the latch release button opening;
- a bottom latch assembly affixed to the bottom housing shell;
- wherein the bottom latch assembly comprises a bottom latch;
- a top spring located between the top latch assembly and the top housing shell;
- a bottom spring located between the bottom latch assembly and the bottom housing shell;
- a front wall;
- at least one connector attached to the front wall for connecting at least one fluid or air flow channel;
- and
- a tube opening in a rear area of the top and bottom housing shells;
- wherein the at least one elongated arm of the top latch assembly contacts the bottom latch assembly such that the bottom latch is controlled by the latch release button on the top latch assembly.
14 more elements
A connector assembly comprising:
- a top housing shell having a top latch opening and latch release button opening;
- a bottom housing shell having a bottom latch opening;
- a top latch assembly affixed to the top housing shell, the top latch assembly formed as a unitary piece and comprising:
- a latch release button;
- a top latch;
- two alignment and pivot extensions on each side of the top latch;
- and
- two elongated arms on a bottom portion of the latch assembly;
- wherein the top latch extends through the top latch opening in the top housing shell, and the latch release button extends through the latch release button opening;
- a bottom latch assembly formed as a unitary piece affixed to the bottom housing shell;
- wherein the bottom latch assembly comprises:
- a bottom latch;
- and
- two alignment and pivot extensions on each side of the bottom latch;
- wherein the two elongated arms of the top latch assembly contact the bottom latch assembly at a raised portion thereof such that the bottom latch is controlled by the latch release button on the top latch assembly;
- a top spring located between the top latch assembly and the top housing shell;
- a bottom spring located between the bottom latch assembly and the bottom housing shell;
- a front wall;
- three poppet-valve style connectors attached to the front wall for connecting two fluid and one air flow channel, wherein one of the connectors is offset relative to the other two connectors on the front wall;
- and
- a tube opening in a rear area of the top and bottom housing shells;
- wherein the top shell housing comprises two pivot receptacles to hold the pivot and alignment extensions on the top latch assembly;
- and the bottom shell housing comprises two pivot receptacles to hold the pivot and alignment extensions on the bottom latch assembly.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.