A CONNECTOR TECHNICAL FIELD 100011 The present invention relates to connectors, couplings and the like for forming connections with or between fluid-carrying pipes or tubes, or for forming connections with or to fluid inlets and fluid outlets of appliances/devices, or for forming connections with or between other kinds of fluid flow conduits. [00021 For convenience, the invention will be described at least mainly with reference to its use with pipes, tubes, hoses and the like used in water plumbing, and in particular the plumbing of residential appliances which must be supplied with hot and/or cold water. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be interpreted as being limited to or by this. The invention may therefore also find use in a range of other applications. BACKGROUND 100031 In residential homes (and similarly small businesses and the like) there are often numerous devices and appliances which must be supplied with water and which must therefore be connected to water supply pipes or the like. Some examples of such devices include mixer taps (commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries), dishwashers, washing machines, drinking water filters, etc. These are just examples, and other devices and appliances which require connection to a water supply may also be known to those skilled in this area. Such devices may require connection to hot water, cold water, or both. 100041 It is useful to initially consider dishwashers as an example. A dishwasher will normally be installed below a kitchen bench and typically close to, or beneath, the kitchen sink. This is generally so that the sink, dishwasher, and also other kitchen appliances which require water and plumbing, are close together and can share the same hot and/or cold water supply, and/or a common outlet or drain to sewer, etc. One or more supply taps (e.g. separate hot and cold water supply taps) are commonly provided at or close to the location where the dishwasher, sink, etc, are installed. Usually, a dishwasher will only need to be connected to one of the supply taps (hot or cold, depending on the model), but other appliances such as mixer taps and the like typically need to be connected to both the hot and the cold water supply taps. 10005] The water supply taps typically supply water from, for example, the mains water supply or a local storage tank (for cold water) or from the local hot water system (for hot water). The separate hot and cold water supply taps are typically located somewhere inconspicuous or out of sight. Often, in residential kitchens and the like, the hot and cold water supply taps are mounted to the wall below the level of the sink or below the kitchen bench, and often they will be at the back of a cabinet or cupboard beneath the sink. To connect the relevant supply tap to the water inlet of a dishwasher for example, a flexible tube or hose is often used. One example of the general kind of hose often used for this is illustrated in Figure A. For some appliances (e.g. mixer taps), two such hoses or tubes may be required, one for connecting the cold water supply tap to the appliance's cold water inlet, and another for connecting the hot water supply tap to the appliance's hot water inlet. 100061 There are a number of difficulties associated with, in particular, the way these flexible tubes/hoses connect to the water supply taps and/or the way they connect to the appliance's water inlet(s). Typically, where a flexible hose such as the one illustrated in Figure A is used to connect a water supply tap to an appliance, one or both ends of the hose will have a rotatable threaded collar I which can screw onto the correspondingly threaded spout of the water supply tap (not shown in the Figures) or onto the correspondingly threaded inlet of the appliance (not shown). In Figure A, there is a threaded collar I on both ends of the hose. Arrangements such as this, and also slightly different but related or similar methods for connecting water supply taps to appliance inlets, will be familiar to those skilled in this area. 100071 One significant difficulty associated with connecting the above hoses (or similar means of connection) when installing dishwashers, mixer taps and other appliances arises due to the often difficult-to-access locations where the installation must be performed. For instance, as explained above, in residential kitchens and the like (and similarly in bathrooms and laundries) the water supply taps are typically located underneath the bench or sink, and normally they are hidden at the back of a cupboard or cabinet beneath the bench or sink. The cupboard or cabinet may sometimes also contain shelves, and in some cases the supply taps may be located, for example, beneath the lowermost shelf. Consequently, in order to install dishwashers and the like, plumbers must generally bend down and/or crawl into the cupboard/cabinet. This is invariably awkward. There is usually also very little available space within which the plumber can work, and this can make the task of screwing the collar(s) of each hose onto the relevant tap or appliance inlet additionally fiddly and difficult. The difficulty is exacerbated even further in situations where it is necessary to use a tool (e.g. a spanner or wrench) to grip the collar in order to turn it to screw it onto the tap/appliance. 100081 An issue which can increase the above difficulty even more is that, often, in order to prevent the emergence of leaks over time, plumbers apply thread seal tape (often also referred to as "plumbers' tape") to the male threads of the tap or appliance inlet before screwing the collar on to connect the hose thereto. It will be appreciated that difficulties associated with applying the tape in the above-described tight confines further adds to the difficulties of installation. 100091 Hose-to-tap connections and hose-to-appliance connections etc are sometimes also formed by so-called "push-fits" (or push-fit fittings). In these fittings, an end of the hose is inserted into a female socket which is on or associated with the tap/appliance. Inside the female socket there is a chuck (or a series of jaws or the like) which grips the hose preventing separation of the hose from the socket. A release mechanism (often in the form of a bush or the like) is often also provided to enable disengagement of the chuck (or jaws etc) such that the hose can be released/separated from the socket. However, those familiar with these fittings will appreciate that it is often very difficult to operate the release mechanism to separate the hose from the socket. 100101 It will be appreciated that the difficulties discussed above associated with connecting hoses (or similar means of connection) when installing dishwashers, mixer taps and other appliances, also generally arise when the appliance must be disconnected and removed for replacement, repair or maintenance. Indeed, when the appliance is to be disconnected, plumbers will again generally be required to crawl into and work within the above-described tight confines, meaning that most of the same difficulties arise. [0011] As a result of the issues discussed above, installation and removal/disconnection of dishwashers, mixer taps and other appliances can often be a comparatively time-consuming process. This means that the number of installations or "jobs" that a plumber can perform in a given period is reduced or limited. The amount of time taken with these tasks can also increase the labour costs which the plumber must charge to the customer. [00121 It may therefore be desirable to provide a connector, or means or a method for forming a connection with or between fluid flow conduits, which helps to address or reduce one or more of the difficulties discussed above, or which at least provides a useful or commercial alternative in the marketplace. 100131 It is to be clearly understood that mere reference herein to previous or existing apparatus, products, systems, methods, practices, publications or other information, or to any associated problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things individually or in any combination formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field or are admissible prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [00141 In one form, the present invention relates broadly to a connector or coupling for forming a fluid connection between a first fluid flow conduit and a second fluid flow conduit. The connector or coupling includes a first part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of the first conduit, and a second part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of the second conduit. The first part has a projecting portion, the second part has a recess, and in use the protecting portion inserts into the recess connecting the two conduits such that fluid can flow from one into the other. The connector or coupling also includes a securing component which can, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess of the second part, engage with a retaining portion on or in the first part and also with a retaining portion on or in the second part such that separation of the first part and the second part is prevented. The retaining portion of both parts may be configured to engage with the securing component. 100151 Generally, the invention (at least in the above form) will operate with fluids which are liquids such as, for example, water. The connector or coupling will also generally be designed to operate at temperatures and pressures of the order commonly encountered in household water plumbing. However, whilst this may often be the case, no limitation whatsoever is to be implied from this. And indeed, embodiments of the invention could potentially also be made to operate with liquids other than water (e.g. industrial chemicals, machinery working fluids, liquids used in foods or food processing, etc), or with other forms of fluids such as gases or mixed-phase fluids, or with fluids (whether liquid, gas or mixed-phase) at more extreme (higher or lower) temperatures and/or pressures. 100161 The connector or coupling in the above form of the invention has a first part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of the first fluid conduit, and a second part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of the second fluid conduit. Whether the first and second parts are formed as part of, or separately from and connectable to, their respective conduits is not critical to the invention. Sometimes, both the first and the second parts will be formed separately from the end or opening of their respective conduits and will be connectable thereto. Other times, one of the parts will be formed separately from and be connectable to the end or opening of its conduit, whereas the other part will be formed on or as part of its conduit. Or, both parts may be formed on or as part of the end of their respective conduits. As an example, the first part could be on (or it could itself be) the water inlet of an appliance such as the water inlet of a dishwasher, and in this case the second part could be on the end of the hose or tube used to deliver water to the appliance (and to the inlet) from the water supply tap. In another example, the first part could be on the end of the hose or tube, and the second part could be on, or connected to, the outlet of a water supply tap. Of course, myriad other examples are also possible. [00171 In the above form of the invention, the first part has a projecting portion, the second part has a recess, and in use the protecting portion can insert into the recess thereby connecting the two fluid flow conduits such that fluid can flow from one into the other. It is envisaged that, generally, at least a portion of the recess in the second part will be shaped to closely receive at least a portion of the projecting portion of the first part when the projecting portion is inserted (typically longitudinally or axially) into the recess. The recess (or portion thereof) in the second part may therefore have a complimentary shape to the projecting portion (or part thereof) of the first part which it receives. The projecting portion (or part thereof) could take a wide range of shapes and still achieve this. For example, the shape of the protecting portion (when viewed end on) could be square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc, and the portion of the recess which receives it could be complimentary in shape. Such polygonal shapes may be useful where it is desired to prevent the first part from rotating relative to the second part when the two are connected. In other embodiments (and this may be more usual) the projecting portion (or part thereof) could be cylindrical (i.e. circular when viewed end-on) meaning that the recess (or portion thereof) which receives it may also be cylindrical. 100181 In many embodiments, both the first part and the second part of the connector or coupling will have a through-bore extending axially therethrough. The configuration may also be such that the through-bore in the first part becomes substantially aligned with the through-bore in the second part when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part. 100191 As explained above, the connector or coupling in the above form of the invention also includes a securing component which can, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess of the second part, engage with a retaining portion on or in the first part and also with a retaining portion on or in the second part such that separation of the first part and the second part is prevented. The form/configuration of the securing component is not critical to the invention. The securing component could therefore take a wide range (or indeed any) suitable form. It is envisaged that, often, the securing component will be a component which is made separately from and/or can be separated entirely from the first part and the second part. For example, the securing component may comprise a simple (possibly unitary) component such as a unitary pin or clip. These are just examples, and other forms of securing component are also possible. Whilst the securing component (which may be a pin or clip) may be entirely separate/separable from the first and second parts, a string or chain or lanyard (or something similar) connecting the securing component to the first or second part may be provided. This may be simply so that the securing component does not become lost. 100201 Generally, for both the first and second part, the retaining portion may comprise one or more or a combination of the following: cutouts, indents, projections, grooves, slots, holes, edges, surfaces, ridges or sides on or in the part with which the securing component can engage when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part. In embodiments where the projecting portion of the first part is cylindrical, the first part's retaining portion may comprise a circumferential groove in the cylindrical outer surface of the first part's projecting portion. In these embodiments, the second part's retaining portion may comprise at least one hole or slot which communicates between the inside of the recess in the second part and the outside of the second part. The second part's retaining portion may also be positioned such that, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part, one or more walls of the at least one hole or slot align with one or more walls of the groove in the first part's projecting portion. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the securing component may comprise a clip or pin (as described above) which can, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part, be inserted so as to engage with one or more walls of the at least one hole or slot and also with one or more walls of the groove. 100211 In some specific embodiments, the second part's retaining portion may comprise a pair of slots on opposing sides of the second part, and when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part, the side walls of the said slots may align with the side walls of the groove in the projecting portion of the first part. Also, in these embodiments, the securing component may comprise a generally U-shaped clip having a curved top portion and a pair of legs extending from respective ends of the top portion so that, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess in the second part, one of the legs of the clip inserts into one of the slots and engages with the groove on one side of the connector and the other leg of the clip inserts into the other slot and engages with the groove on the other side of the connector. The U-shaped clip may be a resilient clip of a kind which requires force to be applied to flex the clip's legs apart in order for the legs to move past the maximum diameter at the bottom of the groove and thus for the clip to move into the fully inserted position. However, again, other forms of securing components are also possible. [00221 The connector or coupling in the above form of the invention may also include sealing means. The sealing means may operate so that, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess of the second part, fluid is prevented from leaking out from between the first part and the second part. Any form or configuration of sealing means suitable for performing this function may be used. However, it is envisaged that, at least in some embodiments, the sealing means may comprise one or more O-rings positioned in one or more circumferential grooves in the cylindrical outer surface of the first part's projecting portion. In these embodiments, when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess of the second part, a portion of each O-ring may contact with the internal surface of the recess and form a seal. 100231 In another form, the present invention relates broadly to a connector part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of a first fluid flow conduit, the connector part being connectable to a separate other connector part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of a second fluid flow conduit to thereby form a fluid connection between the first conduit and the second conduit, the connector part having a projecting portion which can be inserted into a recess in the other connector part thereby connecting the two conduits such that fluid can flow from one into the other, the connector part also having a retaining portion and, when the projecting portion of the connector part is inserted into the recess of the other connector part, a securing component can engage with the retaining portion, and also with a retaining portion of the other connector part, such that separation of the connector part and the other connector part is prevented. The retaining portion of both parts may be configured to engage with the securing component. 100241 In another form, the present invention relates broadly to a connector part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of a second fluid flow conduit, the connector part being connectable to a separate other connector part which is on or connectable to an end or opening of a first fluid flow conduit to thereby form a fluid connection between the first conduit and the second conduit, the connector part having a recess which can receive a projecting portion of the other connector part thereby connecting the two conduits such that fluid can flow from one into the other, the connector part also having a retaining portion and, when the projecting portion of the other connector part is inserted into the recess of the connector part, a securing component can engage with the retaining portion, and also with a retaining portion of the other connector part, such that separation of the connector part and the other connector part is prevented. The retaining portion of both parts may be configured to engage with the securing component. 100251 In another form, the present invention relates broadly to a method for forming a fluid connection between a first fluid flow conduit which has a first part on an end or opening thereof and a second fluid flow conduit which has a second part on an end or opening thereof, and wherein the first part has a projecting portion and the second part has a recess, the method including inserting the protecting portion of the first part into the recess in the second part to connect the two conduits such that fluid can flow from one into the other, and when the projecting portion of the first part is inserted into the recess of the second part, installing a securing component such that the securing component engages with a retaining portion on or in the first part and also with a retaining portion on or in the second part, such that separation of the first part and the second part is prevented. The retaining portion of both parts may be configured to engage with the securing component. 100261 Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. In particular, aspects and features described with reference to (the various embodiments of) the first-mentioned form of the invention above, may be used with, or combined with, or may form part of, embodiments of any of the later-mentioned forms of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10027] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 100281 Figure I is an exploded view of the different parts that make up a connector in accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention. [00291 Figure 2 is an end-on view of the connector in Figure 1. In Figure 2, certain hidden parts and features (i.e. parts and features which would not normally be visible in this orientation) are illustrated in dashed lines. [00301 Figure 3 is a side-on cross-sectional view of the connector where the cross-section is taken in the plane indicated B-B in Figure 2. 10031] Figure 4 is an enlargement of the portion of the cross-section indicated E in Figure 3. [00321 Figure 5 is a side-on view of the connector in Figure 1. In Figure 5, certain hidden parts and features (i.e. parts and features which would not normally be visible in this orientation) are illustrated in dashed lines. 10033] Figure 6 is an end-on cross-sectional view of the connector where the cross-section is taken in the plane indicated C-C in Figure 5. 100341 Figure 7 is an enlargement of the cross-section indicated D in Figure 6 (hence Figure 7 is an enlargement of Figure 6). DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00351 It can be seen from Figure 1 that, in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-7, the connector comprises a first part in the form of a (male) plug part 10, a second part in the form of a (female) socket part 50, and a securing component in the form of a clip 90. Although not illustrated in the Figures, the plug part 10 will generally be formed on or connected to an end or opening of one fluid flow conduit, and the socket part 50 will generally be formed on or connected to an end or opening of another fluid flow conduit which is to be connected to the first-mentioned conduit. By way of example, the plug part 10 could form the end of an appliance water inlet (e.g. the hot or cold water inlet of a mixer tap), and the socket part 50 could be on the end of the hose or pipe used to deliver water to that inlet. Of course, this is simply one example and the invention (whether embodied in the particular form illustrated or in some other possible embodiment) can be applied in countless other ways to form plumbing connections. 100361 For convenience, the plug part 10 shown in the Figures will hereafter be referred to simply as the plug 10, and the socket part 50 will hereafter be referred to simply as the socket 50. In the Figures, the plug 10 and socket 50 are made from a suitable metal, for example, brass which is comparatively easy to produce/machine and also relatively corrosion resistant. The clip is made from metal which is resilient/flexible, for example, steel. However, these metals are just examples and other metals (or indeed other non-metal materials) may be used for some or all parts. For example, the plug 10 and socket 50 at least could be made from plastic. 100371 In the particular embodiment illustrated, both the plug 10 and the socket 50 are round. More specifically, the outer surface 51 of the socket 50 and the base I1 of the plug 10 are cylindrical. That is, the shape of the outer surface 51 of the socket, and the outer shape of the base I1 of the plug, are circular when viewed in end-on cross-section. In other embodiments though, these parts may be shaped differently. For example, in other embodiments the outer surface of the socket, and likewise the base of the plug, could be square, hexagonal, etc, when viewed in end-on cross-section. [00381 The portion of the plug 10 with the greatest outer diameter is the base 11. The plug 10 also includes a projecting portion 12. The projecting portion 12 is made up of sections of different diameters. However, all sections of the projecting portion 12 are cylindrical and all are smaller in diameter than the base 11. The different sections of the projecting portion 12 are discussed below. 100391 Both the plug 10 and the socket 50 have a central cylindrical through-bore extending therethrough. In this embodiment, the through-borc in each part coincides with the part's central/principle cylindrical axis, and both through-bores have approximately equal internal diameters. In the Figures, the through-bore in the plug 10 is indicated by reference numeral 15, and the through-bore in the socket 50 is indicated by reference numeral 55. Also, as illustrated in Figures 3-7, when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50 as shown, the bore 15 in the plug 10 becomes aligned (and hence effectively joins) with the bore 55 in the socket 50 such that the two bores together form a connected flow passage enabling fluid to flow from one part into the other. [00401 Referring again to Figure 1, it can be seen that the projecting portion 12 of the plug 10 is made up of two sections, namely an end section 13 which forms the projecting end of the plug, and a middle section 14 which is between the end section 13 and the base 11. The outer diameter of both the middle section 14 and the end section 13 is smaller than that of the base 11. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the middle section 14 is larger than that of the end section 13. Therefore, the plug 10 and its projecting portion 12 effectively have a "stepped" configuration in terms of diameters. That is, the outer diameter of the base I I steps down to the smaller outer diameter of the middle section 14, which in turn steps down to the even small outer diameter of the end section 13. 100411 As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the cavity 52 in the end of the socket 50 (i.e. the cavity in which the projecting portion 12 of the plug is received when the plug and socket are connected) is shaped to receive the plug portion 12. More specifically, the outer portion 54 of the cavity (which is closer to the mouth of the cavity) has an internal diameter and an axial length which are the same as, or very slightly greater than, the outer diameter and axial length of the middle section 14 of the plug. Likewise, the inner portion 53 of the cavity 52 (which is further back in the cavity 52, away from the mouth) has an internal diameter and axial length which are the same as, or very slightly greater than, the outer diameter and axial length of the end section 13 of the plug. Hence, the projecting portion 12 of the plug fits closely within the cavity 52 in the socket 50 when the plug and socket are brought together. 100421 As best shown in Figures 1 and 4, on the plug 10 there are two circumferential grooves 16 which are cut or formed in the cylindrical outer surface of the end section 13. There is a circular (or more accurately toroidal) rubber O-ring 17 positioned in each of the grooves 16. The thickness of the O-rings is slightly greater than the depth of the grooves 16. Therefore, when the plug 10 is separated from the socket 50, a portion of each O-ring extends out slightly proud of the cylindrical surface of the end section 13. On the other hand, when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50, the said portion of each O-ring presses against the internal wall of the inner portion 53 in the cavity 52. This creates a seal which prevents fluid (i.e. fluid which is flowing in the flow passage formed by the linked bores 15 and 55) from leaking out between the plug and the socket. 100431 On the plug 10 there is also a circumferential groove 18 cut or formed in the cylindrical outer surface of the middle section 14, and on the socket 50 there is a pair slots 58 cut or formed in opposing sides of the socket near the end which connects to the plug 10. More specifically, the slots 58 are cut or formed in opposing sides of the socket at an axial location on the socket such that, when the socket is connected to the plug, the walls of the slots 58 align with the walls of the groove 18. 100441 The clip 90 shown in Figure 1 is also clearly illustrated in Figure 7. The clip 90 is a form of resilient clip. As Figures 1 and 7 illustrate, the clip 90 is generally U-shaped. That is, it has a curved top portion 96 and a pair of legs 98 extending from the respective ends of the top portion 96. The curve of the top portion 96 is also slightly bowed outwards in the centre. The bowed section is indicated by reference numeral 97 and the purpose of the bowed section 97 is discussed below. 100451 Starting from the points on the clip 90 where the respective legs 98 join to the top portion 96 and moving down the legs, the legs 98 initially converge (i.e. become closer together) before then diverging slightly near the ends of the legs. The angled point on each of the respective legs 98 where the legs are closest together will be referred to as the elbow 99. When the legs are in their normal, un-deflected position (i.e. when the legs are not flexed apart) the distance between the elbows 99 (indicated dl in Figure I) is less than the diameter at the base of the groove 18 (this diameter is indicated d2 in Figure 7). The thickness of the clip 90 (indicated t in Figure 4) is also equal to, or very slightly thinner than, the axial thickness of the slots 58 and the groove 18 (note: the axial thickness of the slots 58 and the groove 18 will generally be approximately the same). 100461 Hence, when the plug 10 and socket 50 are joined together as illustrated in Figures 3 5, the clip 90 can be installed to prevent the plug and socket from being separated. The way the clip 90 is installed to prevent separation is as follows. As explained above, when the plug 10 and socket 50 are joined together, the walls of the slots 58 align with the walls of the groove 18. In other words, the slots 58 are aligned with the groove 18. Therefore, the clip 90 can be moved in the direction indicated by arrow B in Figure 1 (i.e. it can be inserted into the mutually connected plug and socket) such that one of the legs 98 inserts into each of slots 58. Because the slots 58 are aligned with the groove 18, it follows that when the legs 98 insert into the respective slots 58, the legs 98 engage not only with the slots 58 but also with/in the groove 18. By engaging with the slots 58 in the socket and also with the groove 18 in the plug, the legs 98 prevent axial movement of the socket 50 relative to the plug 10 (and hence prevent separation of the plug and socket). 100471 Also, because the un-deflected distance dl between the elbows 99 of the clip's legs is less than the diameter d2 at the bottom of the groove 18, therefore in order for the clip 90 to be pushed fully into the securing position shown in Figures 6 and 7, force must be applied (in the direction of arrow B) to cause the legs to deflect outwardly so that the elbows 99 can ride over the diameter (d2) at the bottom of the groove 18. Once the elbows 99 have passed over the diameter of the groove 18, the resilience or springiness of the clip 90 then causes the legs 98 to move back toward each other (i.e. so that the legs move back into the position shown in Figures 6 and 7). In this position, the resilience of the clip (which holds the legs together) prevents the clip from falling or rattling out from between the plug and socket, unless of course sufficient force is applied to the clip 90 (in the opposite direction to arrow B) to again cause the elbows 99 to ride back over the diameter of the groove 18 and thereby allow full retraction of the clip from the slots 58. 100481 As mentioned above, the curve of the top portion 96 of the clip is bowed slightly outwards in the centre, and the bowed section is indicated by reference numeral 97. The purpose of the bowed section 97 is to assist with retraction/withdrawal of the clip. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 7, the shape of the bowed portion 97 is such that, when the clip is fully installed as shown, a small gap 100 remains between the underside of the bowed section 97 and the outer cylindrical surface of the plug/socket. A thin implement or tool (e.g. the head of a flat headed screwdriver or the like) may be inserted into the gap 100 and the implement or tool may then be used to "lever up", disengage and remove the clip 90 so that the plug and socket can be separated. 100491 It will be appreciated that the present invention (whether embodied in the form illustrated or in some other possible embodiment) may significantly reduce the difficulties discussed above associated with appliance installation. For example, with the present invention, when a plumber is working in the tight confines beneath a kitchen sink or the like, they may no longer need to apply thread tape and then screw the threaded cap of a hose onto a tap or appliance inlet in order to connect the hose etc. Instead, the tap or appliance inlet may be provided with one of the plug 10 and socket 50, and the end of the hose may be provided with the other of the plug 10 and the socket 50. The two can thus be connected simply by inserting the plug 10 into the socket, and then by installing the clip 90 (as discussed above) separation of the plug from the socket is prevented. Furthermore, the present invention may also assist with, for example, disconnecting the hose when the appliance requires replacement or repair. In this situation, it is simply a matter of disengaging and removing the clip 90, and thereafter the plug 10 can be easily withdrawn and separated from the socket 50. There is thus no need for awkward screwing or twisting to connect and disconnect the plug and socket. 100501 In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 100511 Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. 100521 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.