CA2176822A1 - Quick connector - Google Patents
Quick connectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2176822A1 CA2176822A1 CA002176822A CA2176822A CA2176822A1 CA 2176822 A1 CA2176822 A1 CA 2176822A1 CA 002176822 A CA002176822 A CA 002176822A CA 2176822 A CA2176822 A CA 2176822A CA 2176822 A1 CA2176822 A1 CA 2176822A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pair
- female receptacle
- segments
- segment
- male conduit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L27/00—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement
- F16L27/08—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement allowing adjustment or movement only about the axis of one pipe
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
- F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
- F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
- F16L37/098—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks
- F16L37/0985—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part
- F16L37/0987—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
Abstract
A quick connector (10) has a pair of waist segments (76 and 81), a shoulder segment (163), a body segment (72) with an aperture (156) therein, and a leg segment (78). The leg segment (78) is defined by a pair of projecting elements (100) which are at least partially compressible toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments (76 and 81) to move toward one another. Thus, a swivellable connection is made which has the equivalent length and diameter of a convention non-swivellable threaded coupling. The quick connector (10) may be released by hand or a snap ring tool inserted into holes (410).
Description
W095114187 ` ; ' ` 21 76822 PCIIUS93111281 QUICK CONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF Ti IE INVENTION
Thisinventionrelatesgenerallytoconduitcouplingsthrou3hwhich fluid flows and -r ' ~ Iy to a quick cc ""~ Lu~ which retains a male conduit within a female le:C~ld~:ltl.
In the automotive industry, as weli as for many other industries, the need always exists for low cost, reliable and easy to assemble c~" ,pû,~ tb.lû This need is especially apparent wlth respect to providing a cu""~-,t;o,~
between fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel, brake or l~liu~ldlll lines.
T~d~iliû~a'lJ, such a cc ""eulion is c~",,o, i~ed of a male conduit being retained within a female ~c~,uLdcle through use of threaded fittings, flare fittings or through bolted on flanges.
More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect retainers have been used in place of the conventional methods. These quick c~""eulu, a typically have a plurality of flexible legs which engage an annular bead attached to a male conduit and also engage an undercut groove formed wlthin a female member. Two such examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,6û1,497 entitled 2û "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" which issued on July 22, 1986, and U.S. Patent 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector for High Temperature Cu~ euliu~l" which issued on October 18, 1988, both of which were invented by the inventor of the present invention and are il IUUI ,uu, dL~d by reference herewithin. Another quick connector is flat with pairs of annular arms25 extending therearound which are radially flexible. Other quick cot"~eulu,~
which were invented by the inventor of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patents: 4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which are entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" and which issued on June 25, 1985 and January 23, 1984, respectively, and are i"cu, I~u~ d~d by reference herewithin.
While the d~UI ~ liul1ed quick cc" " ,eulu, ~ present significant improvements in the art, each leg member of these devices must typically resist longitudinal pull out forces and must generate radial retention forces.
Moreover, the legs are radially co~,u~ssed during ill~ldlldliull~ Accordingly, in order to enhance the ability to either withstand forces in the longitudinal WO 95/14187 ; I r r~ 1 7 ~ 8 2 2 PCT/US93/11281 ~
direction or generate radially directed forces the part must often be cc", Iul ul I ,ised with regard to the other force p~"ue"di, ular thereto. Therefore it would be desirable to have a quick connector which can be easily installed and removed is inexpensive to manufacture and which has separate segments 5 for ~ ld~di~g longitudinal pull out forces and ge~ g radial retention forces but which can be much shorter than conventional cu~ e~.~ul:~ by reducing the length inside the female portion of the cul " ,eulu, to the length currently realized with threaded ~u~ e~ Lu~
1~ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In au~ùl dd,1ce with the present invention a preferred ~" Ibudi~ "t:"l of a new and useful quick connector is used to couple a male conduit within a bore of a female ~ueuLdcle~ The quick connector has a pair of waist segments a shoulder segment a body segment with an aperture therein and 15 a leg segment. The leg segment is defined by a pair of projecting elements which urge the waist segments radially outward for tll~1d~ 111 with the female ~c~uLdule~ The projecting elements are also partially c~"~,u, t:~siL,le toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments to move toward one another for ll l~ldlldLiul, and ~i~a~" ILjly. The aperture within the body segment 20 engagably surrounds a portion of the male conduit.
The quick connector of the present invention is advantageous over the prior art quick cù,,,,e,_Lu,~ in that the waist se9ments and shoulder segment are optimized to withstand radially c~" ~ ssi~/e insertion and removal forces while ll dll~llliLLil lç~ radial retention forces in ~ su. .; .l;ul l with the female 25 receptacle. Concurrently the body se9ment is optimized to withstand longitudinal pull out forces between the attached male conduit and the adjacent waist segments FulLll~llllol~ the present invention quick co,~ ulu, can be easily assembled and ~ibd~ l I IL~l~d from within the mating female I t~ tdul~
thus providing an inexpensive to assemble system. This is accol,luli~l,ed by 3û at least partially colnl l~a~ g the projecting elements of the leg segment toward one another thereby engaging and di~ d~ g the quick connector from the mating female ,~ ~,uLdcle. Additionally the present invention can be wo 95/14187 : ~ I 7 6 8 2 2 Pcrluss3~
inexpensively manufactured. Also the quick ~;u, " ,el tu, is operable wlth most conventional swivelable male condurts and with many tradltional female SO as to convert the rigidly fixed conduit of conventional threaded C~ Lula to a swivelling type co""e tk~,~. These quick co,~,leulu~a of the 5 present invention have separated the springing radial requirement from the requirement to longrtudinally abut a wall in the female Itl~,uLd~l~. The quick connector of the present invention maintains the male conduit in alignment within the female r~u~lacle thereby providing proper registry of a seal. The present invention is also beneficial since it allows the male conduit and female10 I t~ .Ld~ to i~ ~ o~ I-u, dL~ longitudinally smaller sealing and retaining areas than those ..~.~o. .; -l~cl wlth traditional couplings. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following d~su, i~JtiUI ~and d~uellded claims taken in conjunction with the accc,,,,udllying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pt:, a,ù~ut~c view showing a first preferred ~", odi" ,~"~
of a quick connector of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perâpective view showing a radial member of the first preferred ~:"lL~o,li",t",l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a body segment of the first preferred ~IIILJOdillll:~llL of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing another ~" ,L~o,li" ,~1 IL of the first preferred e~ "L~odi" ~e~ IL of the present invention quick connector in relation to a male conduit and a female l~ td~
FIG. 4A is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing another ~ L odi",~L of the female l~uLd~ and another ~llllJo~i",~"L of a male condult wlthin which the first preferred ~",L~o.li",~"l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 is employed FIG. 5 is a perspective view opposite from that of FIG. 2 showing 30 a radial member of a second preferred ~IllL~c~ llL of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
Wo95114187 ~ 2176822 PCTIUS93111281 ~
FIG. 6 is a ~Idy~ llLd~ pe,ape~ rJ Yiew showing a locking member used in CClllIL~illdti(lll with the second preferred ~ L~odi"lellll of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a pe, ~e. ~i ~c view showing the locking member of FIG.
5 6 a~a~"lL,ldd to the second preferred ~"ILJodi",~"l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the first preferred dl nL,odi, l l~ of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 used with a further e",bodi,~"l of the male conduit;
FIG. 9 is a p~,~,ue~ view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing a third preferred t" "LJ~di~ "l of the radial member of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the first preferred ~IllLJodi,~d,,l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 15 in relation to another ~",budi",e"l of a male conduit and a female ~ We;
and FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing a dust cover used in c~lllLJilldti.el1 with the first preferred ~",bo,li"~"t of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 in relation to yet another 20 e",L,r..li,)~"l male conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE Pl ~Ll Ll ll ~LL~ EMBODIMENTS
In the automotive industry the need exists for coupling a male tubular member or conduit to a female I ~ otc~ . For example coolant hoses 25 and oil hoses must be ~ d to a radiator or an engine block.
Furthermore brake hoses often need to be coupled to one another. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 a preferred ~",~odi",~lll of a quick connector 10 is used to operably retain a swivelable male conduit 12 to a female ,~.el~Lacl~ 14. A
firstpreferred~",L,o~i"~lllofmaleconduit12isarigidmetallicmemberhaving 30 a c~""e~li"~ portion 20 a bulged portion 22 a coined recessed portion 24 and a flanged portion 26 proximate with a distal end 28 thereof. Male conduit 12 further has an annular bead or bushing 30 circ~" ~ "t;~ attached ~ WO95/14187 ~ ~ ~ 76822 PCl`/DS93JI~281 therearound. A pair of O-ring seals 32 and an annular washer 34 are longitudinally j~ ed betWeen bushing 30 and fianged portion 26 so as to circu"lfe~ y surround recessed portion 24. In c~uldill~ l therewith, female r~U~ dl;lt: 14 has an outboard face 40, a frusto-conical ul Idl I If ~l ~d lead-5 in section 42, an annular ridge section 44, a retaining formation or more-r~ '~ lly an undercut groove 46 within which there is an outboard abutting wall 48 and an inboard abutting wall 50, an annular recessed section 52, a frusto-conical median section 54, a bore 56 defined by a cylindrical inside surface, and a pdssdg~ 58.
Quick connector 10 is defined by a radial member 70 and a body segment 72. As can best be obserYed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, radial member 70 further has a pair of shoulder segments 74, a plurality of waist segments 76, n. 79 and 81, and a pair of leg segments 78. Each shoulder segment 74 has a pair of flanges 80 from which project three angled side walls 82 joined by a 15 median wall 84, all of which are bordered by a distal edge 86. MoreoYer, each leg segment 78 has a pair of projecting elements 100 which project p~,~el1.li.,ular from each adjacent waist segment 76, n, 79 and 81. Each projecting element 100 is uullll~ d at a distal end 102 thereof by a truss element 104. Portions 100, 102 and 104 provide c~",~,~asiL~I~ outwardly 20 springing action. Waist segments 76, n, 79 and 81 define an opening 110 which has two partially cylindrical interior edges 112 and four corner areas 114.
Each shoulder segment 74, the adjacent pair of waist segments 76 and 77, and the adjacent pair of projecting elements 100 are separated from the sy" ", I~LI ic..:,; opposing shoulder segment 74, waist segments 79 and 81, and projecting elements 100, by a pair of gaps 116. Accoldingly, projecting elements 100 can be radially culllyl~aa~d toward one another such that shoulder segments 74 are radially ~, dl ISIdLdLJle toward each other. Leg segments 78 are also configured to urge shoulder segments 74 outward away from one another.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, body segment 72 has a pair of sul~aIdl lli. l j flat faces 150 and 152 bordered by an annular peripheral edge 154 and an internal aperture 156 defined by an inner edge. Four bendable W095/14187 2 1 76822 PCI'NS93/11281 ~
tabs 158 also project from the inner edge surrounding aperture 156. When body segment 72 is dss~",L,led to radial rriember 70 face 150 is mounted adjacent to waist segments 76 77 79 and 81 opposite from leg segments 78.
Tabs 158 of body segment 72 are then aligned with corner areas 114 of radial 5 member 70 and folded over upon a portion oF each waist segment 76 77 79 and 81 proximate with leg segments 78. Nevertheless a space 160 is present between an edge 162 of each tab 158 and the abutting wall of corner area 114.
This allows waist segments 76 and 77 79 and 81 and shoulder segments 74 to be radially ll dl l~ldLdL l~ toward one another between tabs 158 and face 15010 of body segment 72. Both radial portion 70 and body segment 72 are preferably stamped from a sheet of metallic material such as stainless steel.
Aperture 156 of body segment 72 circu",~ "~ surrounds male conduit 12 and is longitudinally trapped between bulged portion 22 and bushing 30. This is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. F~Ll~e~ u~ peripheral 15 edge 154 of body segment 72 has a smaller diametral dillldl~siull than does annular ridge section 44 and annular recessed section 52 of female, ~ Jta~le 14. Accordingly body segment 72 serves as a longitudinal and radial retention means between male conduit 12 and radial member 70. During insertion of radial member 70 within female ~ ~u~tduld 14 ~ I Idl ~ If t~l ~d section 42 serves to 2û radially compress shoulder segments 74 toward one another. S~ ~hse~ ntly leg segments 78 urge shûulder segments 74 radially outward to en3age undercut groove 46. Each shoulder segment 74 has an interface portion 163 which operably engages abutting walls 48 and 50 of female I~C~,Utd~ltl 14.
Thus radial member 70 is designed to provide radially expansive retention 25 forces to retain body segment 72 to female l~ JLd~ 14.
An altemate ~" Ibodi,, ,t:, IL of a female l ~c~, ,ldcle 300 is shown in FIG. 4A. This female l~c~ dN~ 300 has a slightly cc~ LIi- L~d diameter bore 302 and a nominal diameter bore 304. In registry therewith a flanged portion 306 of a male conduit 308 has a diameter c~ ,uùl~.lil,g to co"~t,i.k:d 30 diameter bore 302. This provides for improved retention of a pair of O-ring seals 310 prior to i, ,~LdlldLiùn of male conduit 308 into female ~ce~.Ld~le 300.
BACKGROUND OF Ti IE INVENTION
Thisinventionrelatesgenerallytoconduitcouplingsthrou3hwhich fluid flows and -r ' ~ Iy to a quick cc ""~ Lu~ which retains a male conduit within a female le:C~ld~:ltl.
In the automotive industry, as weli as for many other industries, the need always exists for low cost, reliable and easy to assemble c~" ,pû,~ tb.lû This need is especially apparent wlth respect to providing a cu""~-,t;o,~
between fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel, brake or l~liu~ldlll lines.
T~d~iliû~a'lJ, such a cc ""eulion is c~",,o, i~ed of a male conduit being retained within a female ~c~,uLdcle through use of threaded fittings, flare fittings or through bolted on flanges.
More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect retainers have been used in place of the conventional methods. These quick c~""eulu, a typically have a plurality of flexible legs which engage an annular bead attached to a male conduit and also engage an undercut groove formed wlthin a female member. Two such examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,6û1,497 entitled 2û "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" which issued on July 22, 1986, and U.S. Patent 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector for High Temperature Cu~ euliu~l" which issued on October 18, 1988, both of which were invented by the inventor of the present invention and are il IUUI ,uu, dL~d by reference herewithin. Another quick connector is flat with pairs of annular arms25 extending therearound which are radially flexible. Other quick cot"~eulu,~
which were invented by the inventor of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patents: 4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which are entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" and which issued on June 25, 1985 and January 23, 1984, respectively, and are i"cu, I~u~ d~d by reference herewithin.
While the d~UI ~ liul1ed quick cc" " ,eulu, ~ present significant improvements in the art, each leg member of these devices must typically resist longitudinal pull out forces and must generate radial retention forces.
Moreover, the legs are radially co~,u~ssed during ill~ldlldliull~ Accordingly, in order to enhance the ability to either withstand forces in the longitudinal WO 95/14187 ; I r r~ 1 7 ~ 8 2 2 PCT/US93/11281 ~
direction or generate radially directed forces the part must often be cc", Iul ul I ,ised with regard to the other force p~"ue"di, ular thereto. Therefore it would be desirable to have a quick connector which can be easily installed and removed is inexpensive to manufacture and which has separate segments 5 for ~ ld~di~g longitudinal pull out forces and ge~ g radial retention forces but which can be much shorter than conventional cu~ e~.~ul:~ by reducing the length inside the female portion of the cul " ,eulu, to the length currently realized with threaded ~u~ e~ Lu~
1~ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In au~ùl dd,1ce with the present invention a preferred ~" Ibudi~ "t:"l of a new and useful quick connector is used to couple a male conduit within a bore of a female ~ueuLdcle~ The quick connector has a pair of waist segments a shoulder segment a body segment with an aperture therein and 15 a leg segment. The leg segment is defined by a pair of projecting elements which urge the waist segments radially outward for tll~1d~ 111 with the female ~c~uLdule~ The projecting elements are also partially c~"~,u, t:~siL,le toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments to move toward one another for ll l~ldlldLiul, and ~i~a~" ILjly. The aperture within the body segment 20 engagably surrounds a portion of the male conduit.
The quick connector of the present invention is advantageous over the prior art quick cù,,,,e,_Lu,~ in that the waist se9ments and shoulder segment are optimized to withstand radially c~" ~ ssi~/e insertion and removal forces while ll dll~llliLLil lç~ radial retention forces in ~ su. .; .l;ul l with the female 25 receptacle. Concurrently the body se9ment is optimized to withstand longitudinal pull out forces between the attached male conduit and the adjacent waist segments FulLll~llllol~ the present invention quick co,~ ulu, can be easily assembled and ~ibd~ l I IL~l~d from within the mating female I t~ tdul~
thus providing an inexpensive to assemble system. This is accol,luli~l,ed by 3û at least partially colnl l~a~ g the projecting elements of the leg segment toward one another thereby engaging and di~ d~ g the quick connector from the mating female ,~ ~,uLdcle. Additionally the present invention can be wo 95/14187 : ~ I 7 6 8 2 2 Pcrluss3~
inexpensively manufactured. Also the quick ~;u, " ,el tu, is operable wlth most conventional swivelable male condurts and with many tradltional female SO as to convert the rigidly fixed conduit of conventional threaded C~ Lula to a swivelling type co""e tk~,~. These quick co,~,leulu~a of the 5 present invention have separated the springing radial requirement from the requirement to longrtudinally abut a wall in the female Itl~,uLd~l~. The quick connector of the present invention maintains the male conduit in alignment within the female r~u~lacle thereby providing proper registry of a seal. The present invention is also beneficial since it allows the male conduit and female10 I t~ .Ld~ to i~ ~ o~ I-u, dL~ longitudinally smaller sealing and retaining areas than those ..~.~o. .; -l~cl wlth traditional couplings. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following d~su, i~JtiUI ~and d~uellded claims taken in conjunction with the accc,,,,udllying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pt:, a,ù~ut~c view showing a first preferred ~", odi" ,~"~
of a quick connector of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perâpective view showing a radial member of the first preferred ~:"lL~o,li",t",l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a body segment of the first preferred ~IIILJOdillll:~llL of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing another ~" ,L~o,li" ,~1 IL of the first preferred e~ "L~odi" ~e~ IL of the present invention quick connector in relation to a male conduit and a female l~ td~
FIG. 4A is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing another ~ L odi",~L of the female l~uLd~ and another ~llllJo~i",~"L of a male condult wlthin which the first preferred ~",L~o.li",~"l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 is employed FIG. 5 is a perspective view opposite from that of FIG. 2 showing 30 a radial member of a second preferred ~IllL~c~ llL of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
Wo95114187 ~ 2176822 PCTIUS93111281 ~
FIG. 6 is a ~Idy~ llLd~ pe,ape~ rJ Yiew showing a locking member used in CClllIL~illdti(lll with the second preferred ~ L~odi"lellll of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a pe, ~e. ~i ~c view showing the locking member of FIG.
5 6 a~a~"lL,ldd to the second preferred ~"ILJodi",~"l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the first preferred dl nL,odi, l l~ of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 used with a further e",bodi,~"l of the male conduit;
FIG. 9 is a p~,~,ue~ view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing a third preferred t" "LJ~di~ "l of the radial member of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the first preferred ~IllLJodi,~d,,l of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 15 in relation to another ~",budi",e"l of a male conduit and a female ~ We;
and FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing a dust cover used in c~lllLJilldti.el1 with the first preferred ~",bo,li"~"t of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 in relation to yet another 20 e",L,r..li,)~"l male conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE Pl ~Ll Ll ll ~LL~ EMBODIMENTS
In the automotive industry the need exists for coupling a male tubular member or conduit to a female I ~ otc~ . For example coolant hoses 25 and oil hoses must be ~ d to a radiator or an engine block.
Furthermore brake hoses often need to be coupled to one another. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 a preferred ~",~odi",~lll of a quick connector 10 is used to operably retain a swivelable male conduit 12 to a female ,~.el~Lacl~ 14. A
firstpreferred~",L,o~i"~lllofmaleconduit12isarigidmetallicmemberhaving 30 a c~""e~li"~ portion 20 a bulged portion 22 a coined recessed portion 24 and a flanged portion 26 proximate with a distal end 28 thereof. Male conduit 12 further has an annular bead or bushing 30 circ~" ~ "t;~ attached ~ WO95/14187 ~ ~ ~ 76822 PCl`/DS93JI~281 therearound. A pair of O-ring seals 32 and an annular washer 34 are longitudinally j~ ed betWeen bushing 30 and fianged portion 26 so as to circu"lfe~ y surround recessed portion 24. In c~uldill~ l therewith, female r~U~ dl;lt: 14 has an outboard face 40, a frusto-conical ul Idl I If ~l ~d lead-5 in section 42, an annular ridge section 44, a retaining formation or more-r~ '~ lly an undercut groove 46 within which there is an outboard abutting wall 48 and an inboard abutting wall 50, an annular recessed section 52, a frusto-conical median section 54, a bore 56 defined by a cylindrical inside surface, and a pdssdg~ 58.
Quick connector 10 is defined by a radial member 70 and a body segment 72. As can best be obserYed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, radial member 70 further has a pair of shoulder segments 74, a plurality of waist segments 76, n. 79 and 81, and a pair of leg segments 78. Each shoulder segment 74 has a pair of flanges 80 from which project three angled side walls 82 joined by a 15 median wall 84, all of which are bordered by a distal edge 86. MoreoYer, each leg segment 78 has a pair of projecting elements 100 which project p~,~el1.li.,ular from each adjacent waist segment 76, n, 79 and 81. Each projecting element 100 is uullll~ d at a distal end 102 thereof by a truss element 104. Portions 100, 102 and 104 provide c~",~,~asiL~I~ outwardly 20 springing action. Waist segments 76, n, 79 and 81 define an opening 110 which has two partially cylindrical interior edges 112 and four corner areas 114.
Each shoulder segment 74, the adjacent pair of waist segments 76 and 77, and the adjacent pair of projecting elements 100 are separated from the sy" ", I~LI ic..:,; opposing shoulder segment 74, waist segments 79 and 81, and projecting elements 100, by a pair of gaps 116. Accoldingly, projecting elements 100 can be radially culllyl~aa~d toward one another such that shoulder segments 74 are radially ~, dl ISIdLdLJle toward each other. Leg segments 78 are also configured to urge shoulder segments 74 outward away from one another.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, body segment 72 has a pair of sul~aIdl lli. l j flat faces 150 and 152 bordered by an annular peripheral edge 154 and an internal aperture 156 defined by an inner edge. Four bendable W095/14187 2 1 76822 PCI'NS93/11281 ~
tabs 158 also project from the inner edge surrounding aperture 156. When body segment 72 is dss~",L,led to radial rriember 70 face 150 is mounted adjacent to waist segments 76 77 79 and 81 opposite from leg segments 78.
Tabs 158 of body segment 72 are then aligned with corner areas 114 of radial 5 member 70 and folded over upon a portion oF each waist segment 76 77 79 and 81 proximate with leg segments 78. Nevertheless a space 160 is present between an edge 162 of each tab 158 and the abutting wall of corner area 114.
This allows waist segments 76 and 77 79 and 81 and shoulder segments 74 to be radially ll dl l~ldLdL l~ toward one another between tabs 158 and face 15010 of body segment 72. Both radial portion 70 and body segment 72 are preferably stamped from a sheet of metallic material such as stainless steel.
Aperture 156 of body segment 72 circu",~ "~ surrounds male conduit 12 and is longitudinally trapped between bulged portion 22 and bushing 30. This is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. F~Ll~e~ u~ peripheral 15 edge 154 of body segment 72 has a smaller diametral dillldl~siull than does annular ridge section 44 and annular recessed section 52 of female, ~ Jta~le 14. Accordingly body segment 72 serves as a longitudinal and radial retention means between male conduit 12 and radial member 70. During insertion of radial member 70 within female ~ ~u~tduld 14 ~ I Idl ~ If t~l ~d section 42 serves to 2û radially compress shoulder segments 74 toward one another. S~ ~hse~ ntly leg segments 78 urge shûulder segments 74 radially outward to en3age undercut groove 46. Each shoulder segment 74 has an interface portion 163 which operably engages abutting walls 48 and 50 of female I~C~,Utd~ltl 14.
Thus radial member 70 is designed to provide radially expansive retention 25 forces to retain body segment 72 to female l~ JLd~ 14.
An altemate ~" Ibodi,, ,t:, IL of a female l ~c~, ,ldcle 300 is shown in FIG. 4A. This female l~c~ dN~ 300 has a slightly cc~ LIi- L~d diameter bore 302 and a nominal diameter bore 304. In registry therewith a flanged portion 306 of a male conduit 308 has a diameter c~ ,uùl~.lil,g to co"~t,i.k:d 30 diameter bore 302. This provides for improved retention of a pair of O-ring seals 310 prior to i, ,~LdlldLiùn of male conduit 308 into female ~ce~.Ld~le 300.
WO 95/14187 ` ~ ` ~ '` PCrlUS93111281 The male conduit ass~"~ 'i of FIGS. 8 and 11 can _ ~ lGL-OIy be used in u o" ,~i, Id~iOI~ w'lth the present invention quick col " ,eulo( 10. In FIG.
8 a male conduit 164 has a flared distal end 166 against which is located a pairof washers 168 and 170 and a pair of annular ~ Lul l ,e, ic seals 172 and 174.
5 hllLII~llllul~ a first bushing 176 serves to prevent longitudinal movement of seal 174 and quick connector 10. Longitudinal movement of quick connector 10 may also be prevented by a second bushing 178. Thus bushings 176 and 178 are secured around male conduit 164 in order to longitudinally trap quick connector 10 LlIdltlb~t./~
Referring to FIG. 11 a polymeric or rubber male condu'lt 180 is illustrated as having a flanged ferrule 182 inserted into a distal end 184 thereof.
A pair of ela~Lu" ,e, ic seals 186 and 188 and a washer 1 9û are jl IYt~l ~IJ- 'I " " ,ed proximate with distal end 184. Ferrule 182 serves to expand the diameter of male conduit 180 after i, I~L::_~;ul~ of quick connector 10 thereon so as to cause 15 the inner edge surrounding aperture 156 of the quick c~""ecLu,'x body segment 72 to be c~"l~ iL~ly attached therew'lth. A bushing 192 is also cul l l~ s:,iL ly attached around male conduit 180 by employing ferrule 182 to expand conduit 180.
Another preferred ~,llbo~il"t:"L of leg segments 78 of radial 20 member 70 is shown in FIGS. 5 through 7. Each projecting element 100 has a first outwardly offset formation 200 an adjacent inwardly offset formation 202and a second outwardly offset formation 204 proximate with a truss element 206. This provides a receiving area for a finger 210 of an annular locking member 212. Locking member 212 is first j~ o~ "ed in position 220 to 25 allow UU~ SSi~l~ of projecb'ng elements 100 during il~ ' " " I. Locking member is then moved to position 222 after i~ laLdlldLiol~ of quick connector 10so as to prevent cu~ siu~ of projecting elements 100. This prevents inadvertent dibda:~lllbly of quick connector 10 and male conduit 12 (see FIG.
4) from female ,~c~,Ld-:le 14 (see FIG. 1).
The third preferred ~" Ibodi, ~ L of a radial member 400 employed in the quick uu~ eulul 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. Radial member has a single shoulder segment 402 a first waist W095114187 ' 2 ~ 76822 PcTlus93lll28l ~
segment 404, a second waist segment 405, a third waist segment 406 and a pair of leg segments 408. Leg segments 408 serve to radially urge shoulder segment 402 and the opposite waist segment 406 into i"L~ lu~.kil ~9 el~ydy~
with female It~Cl:~,ULdUIt: 14 (see FIG, 4). A peripheral section 414 of waist 5 segment 406 and a peripheral section 416 of shoulder segment 402 serve as interface portions. A pluralit,Y of holes 410 are shown in waist segments 404, 405 and 406 so as to aid in use of an ill~Ldlldtiurl or di~d~arlll~ly tool (not shown).
A further ~Illbodi~ l of a female It:-,e,~ltdGIe 450 and a male 10 conduK 452 can be seen in FIG. 10. Female t~ ,UldUIl:: 450 has a receiving bore 454 and a frusto-conical lead-in portion 456 with a distal edge 458 therearound. A collar 460 snugly surrounds lead-in portion 456. Collar 460 has a turned section 462 and a return arm 464 with an abutting ed3e 466. A
localized foot 468 projects radially inward from collar 460 so as to prevent 15 Ullde::lildblt: longitudinal ~Idll:~ldtiol) of collar 460 along female l~ ,utduld 450.
The mating male conduit 452 has a nominal section 480 and a flanged portion 482 proximate with a distal end 484 thereof. A pair of bushings 486 and 488 are securely fastened around nominal section 480 of male conduit 452. An O-ring seal 490 is longitudinally trapped between flanged portion 482 and bushing 20 486. Also, the first preferred e~ "L,o.li, l l~l ll of quick connector 10 of the present invention is longitudinally trapped between bushings 486 and 488 such that an interface portion 496 is operably engaged between abutting edge 466 and distal edge 458 which act as a retaining formation or means.
Referring again to FIG. 11, a dust cover 250 is shown which 25 prevents ~u"Ld"~i"dLi"g particles from entering bore 56 (see FIG. 4) of female :luldcle 14 (see FIG. 4) when quick connector 10 and male conduit 180 are inserted therein. CoYer 250 is c~"~ ed of an annular hub 252 which engagably surrounds male conduit 180. Hub 252 also can be longitudinally slid Lllt:l~dlullg. A s~",euhdL pdl ~ shaped cup 254 projects out~vard from 30 annular hub 252. Furthermore, a circumferential outer wall 256 projects from an outermost portion of cup 254 Outer wall 256 is open toward distal end 184 of male conduit 180 and has an inwardly turned lip 258 therein, This inwardly WO 95/1418'7 - ~ ~ 2 1 7 6 8 2 2 pCT~S9311128l . .
g turned lip 258 is illLt:llUchdL~ly ell~dydL~le with female ,~c~l.ta.;le 14 (see FIG.
4) so as to prevent ~UllldlllilldLiull from entering therein, Cover 250 is preferably made from an ~Id~Iu,,~e~ic material such as Il,~""apld:,Li.; nubber.
Whiie the l~referred ~",L,odi"~"L of a quick cc"",~,_lu, has been 5 disclosed, it will be d~ iidL~d that various " lûdi~i~,dLiùl Is may be made without departing from the present invention. For example, the body segment and the radial member may be integrated as one part. Fu,ll,e""~,~, the peripheral edge of the body segment may have a square shape thereto with tabs being inwardly bent therefrom. Aiternatively, the shoulder segments and waist 10 segments may slidably overlap each other rather than having a gap Llltn~b~t~. 1. Also, the sealing means between the male conduit and the female , t~ JLacld may be c~" ~ ed of a single ~IdaLul "~ , O-ring, a pumpable sealant or various other fluid sealing devices as is known within the art. Moreover, a variety of altemative dust cover shapes may be used in 15 c~" ,L,i"~t;a,1 wlth a quick connector, male conduit and female, ~ le While specific materials have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion, various other materials may of course be employed. It is intended by the following to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed ~IllL,~dilll~ which fall within the true spirit of this invention.
8 a male conduit 164 has a flared distal end 166 against which is located a pairof washers 168 and 170 and a pair of annular ~ Lul l ,e, ic seals 172 and 174.
5 hllLII~llllul~ a first bushing 176 serves to prevent longitudinal movement of seal 174 and quick connector 10. Longitudinal movement of quick connector 10 may also be prevented by a second bushing 178. Thus bushings 176 and 178 are secured around male conduit 164 in order to longitudinally trap quick connector 10 LlIdltlb~t./~
Referring to FIG. 11 a polymeric or rubber male condu'lt 180 is illustrated as having a flanged ferrule 182 inserted into a distal end 184 thereof.
A pair of ela~Lu" ,e, ic seals 186 and 188 and a washer 1 9û are jl IYt~l ~IJ- 'I " " ,ed proximate with distal end 184. Ferrule 182 serves to expand the diameter of male conduit 180 after i, I~L::_~;ul~ of quick connector 10 thereon so as to cause 15 the inner edge surrounding aperture 156 of the quick c~""ecLu,'x body segment 72 to be c~"l~ iL~ly attached therew'lth. A bushing 192 is also cul l l~ s:,iL ly attached around male conduit 180 by employing ferrule 182 to expand conduit 180.
Another preferred ~,llbo~il"t:"L of leg segments 78 of radial 20 member 70 is shown in FIGS. 5 through 7. Each projecting element 100 has a first outwardly offset formation 200 an adjacent inwardly offset formation 202and a second outwardly offset formation 204 proximate with a truss element 206. This provides a receiving area for a finger 210 of an annular locking member 212. Locking member 212 is first j~ o~ "ed in position 220 to 25 allow UU~ SSi~l~ of projecb'ng elements 100 during il~ ' " " I. Locking member is then moved to position 222 after i~ laLdlldLiol~ of quick connector 10so as to prevent cu~ siu~ of projecting elements 100. This prevents inadvertent dibda:~lllbly of quick connector 10 and male conduit 12 (see FIG.
4) from female ,~c~,Ld-:le 14 (see FIG. 1).
The third preferred ~" Ibodi, ~ L of a radial member 400 employed in the quick uu~ eulul 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. Radial member has a single shoulder segment 402 a first waist W095114187 ' 2 ~ 76822 PcTlus93lll28l ~
segment 404, a second waist segment 405, a third waist segment 406 and a pair of leg segments 408. Leg segments 408 serve to radially urge shoulder segment 402 and the opposite waist segment 406 into i"L~ lu~.kil ~9 el~ydy~
with female It~Cl:~,ULdUIt: 14 (see FIG, 4). A peripheral section 414 of waist 5 segment 406 and a peripheral section 416 of shoulder segment 402 serve as interface portions. A pluralit,Y of holes 410 are shown in waist segments 404, 405 and 406 so as to aid in use of an ill~Ldlldtiurl or di~d~arlll~ly tool (not shown).
A further ~Illbodi~ l of a female It:-,e,~ltdGIe 450 and a male 10 conduK 452 can be seen in FIG. 10. Female t~ ,UldUIl:: 450 has a receiving bore 454 and a frusto-conical lead-in portion 456 with a distal edge 458 therearound. A collar 460 snugly surrounds lead-in portion 456. Collar 460 has a turned section 462 and a return arm 464 with an abutting ed3e 466. A
localized foot 468 projects radially inward from collar 460 so as to prevent 15 Ullde::lildblt: longitudinal ~Idll:~ldtiol) of collar 460 along female l~ ,utduld 450.
The mating male conduit 452 has a nominal section 480 and a flanged portion 482 proximate with a distal end 484 thereof. A pair of bushings 486 and 488 are securely fastened around nominal section 480 of male conduit 452. An O-ring seal 490 is longitudinally trapped between flanged portion 482 and bushing 20 486. Also, the first preferred e~ "L,o.li, l l~l ll of quick connector 10 of the present invention is longitudinally trapped between bushings 486 and 488 such that an interface portion 496 is operably engaged between abutting edge 466 and distal edge 458 which act as a retaining formation or means.
Referring again to FIG. 11, a dust cover 250 is shown which 25 prevents ~u"Ld"~i"dLi"g particles from entering bore 56 (see FIG. 4) of female :luldcle 14 (see FIG. 4) when quick connector 10 and male conduit 180 are inserted therein. CoYer 250 is c~"~ ed of an annular hub 252 which engagably surrounds male conduit 180. Hub 252 also can be longitudinally slid Lllt:l~dlullg. A s~",euhdL pdl ~ shaped cup 254 projects out~vard from 30 annular hub 252. Furthermore, a circumferential outer wall 256 projects from an outermost portion of cup 254 Outer wall 256 is open toward distal end 184 of male conduit 180 and has an inwardly turned lip 258 therein, This inwardly WO 95/1418'7 - ~ ~ 2 1 7 6 8 2 2 pCT~S9311128l . .
g turned lip 258 is illLt:llUchdL~ly ell~dydL~le with female ,~c~l.ta.;le 14 (see FIG.
4) so as to prevent ~UllldlllilldLiull from entering therein, Cover 250 is preferably made from an ~Id~Iu,,~e~ic material such as Il,~""apld:,Li.; nubber.
Whiie the l~referred ~",L,odi"~"L of a quick cc"",~,_lu, has been 5 disclosed, it will be d~ iidL~d that various " lûdi~i~,dLiùl Is may be made without departing from the present invention. For example, the body segment and the radial member may be integrated as one part. Fu,ll,e""~,~, the peripheral edge of the body segment may have a square shape thereto with tabs being inwardly bent therefrom. Aiternatively, the shoulder segments and waist 10 segments may slidably overlap each other rather than having a gap Llltn~b~t~. 1. Also, the sealing means between the male conduit and the female , t~ JLacld may be c~" ~ ed of a single ~IdaLul "~ , O-ring, a pumpable sealant or various other fluid sealing devices as is known within the art. Moreover, a variety of altemative dust cover shapes may be used in 15 c~" ,L,i"~t;a,1 wlth a quick connector, male conduit and female, ~ le While specific materials have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion, various other materials may of course be employed. It is intended by the following to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed ~IllL,~dilll~ which fall within the true spirit of this invention.
Claims (35)
1. A quick connector used to couple a male conduit to a female receptacle, said female receptacle having a bore centrally extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therein, said quick connector comprising:
a body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said inner edge of said body segment surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit therewithin;
a pair of waist segments each having an interior edge thereabout, said body segment coupled to said pair of waist segments;
interface portions mounted on said pair of waist segments which attachably engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
a leg segment attached to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said leg segment defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular to saidpair of waist segments such that said leg segment is orientated substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto; and said leg segment protruding through said bore of said female receptacle so as to be accessible from thereout, said interface portions insertable into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of projecting members of said leg segment to at least partially compress toward one another, said leg segment further urging said interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle, said interface portions being disengagable from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting members of said leg segment toward one another whereby said quick connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
a body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said inner edge of said body segment surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit therewithin;
a pair of waist segments each having an interior edge thereabout, said body segment coupled to said pair of waist segments;
interface portions mounted on said pair of waist segments which attachably engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
a leg segment attached to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said leg segment defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular to saidpair of waist segments such that said leg segment is orientated substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto; and said leg segment protruding through said bore of said female receptacle so as to be accessible from thereout, said interface portions insertable into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of projecting members of said leg segment to at least partially compress toward one another, said leg segment further urging said interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle, said interface portions being disengagable from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting members of said leg segment toward one another whereby said quick connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
2. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
a shoulder segment projecting from a first of said pair of waist segments, said shoulder segment having one of said interface portions thereon which attachably engages said female receptacle thereagainst.
a shoulder segment projecting from a first of said pair of waist segments, said shoulder segment having one of said interface portions thereon which attachably engages said female receptacle thereagainst.
3. The quick connector of Claim 2 further comprising:
a third of said waist segments movable somewhat independently from a first and second of said waist segments with said interior edge of said waist segments defining an opening therein; and said shoulder segment projecting from a first and second of said waist segments, said leg segment coupling said first and second waist segments to said third waist segment.
a third of said waist segments movable somewhat independently from a first and second of said waist segments with said interior edge of said waist segments defining an opening therein; and said shoulder segment projecting from a first and second of said waist segments, said leg segment coupling said first and second waist segments to said third waist segment.
4. The quick connector of Claim 3 wherein:
said shoulder segment and said third waist segment are displaced away one another in a radial direction with a gap therebetween so as to be compressible toward one another by said leg segment substantially therebetween.
said shoulder segment and said third waist segment are displaced away one another in a radial direction with a gap therebetween so as to be compressible toward one another by said leg segment substantially therebetween.
5. The quick connector of Claim 4 wherein:
a second leg segment connects said first and second waist segments to said third waist segment, said first and second leg segments are located radially opposite from one another adjacent to and clear of said aperture in said body segment thereof, the radial orientation of said first and second leg segments are substantially perpendicular with the radial orientation of said waist segments.
a second leg segment connects said first and second waist segments to said third waist segment, said first and second leg segments are located radially opposite from one another adjacent to and clear of said aperture in said body segment thereof, the radial orientation of said first and second leg segments are substantially perpendicular with the radial orientation of said waist segments.
6. The quick connector of Claim 5 wherein:
said body segment is a separate part from said waist segments and said pair of leg segments thereon, said body segment further has a plurality of bendable tabs projecting therefrom which are each securely affixed to said waist segments adjacent thereto, said plurality of tabs extend from saidbody segment such that said aperture therein is in registry with said opening of said waist segments and is juxtapositioned centrally between said pair of legsegments adjacent thereto; and said waist segments are radially compressible toward each other between said plurality of tabs and said body segment slidably adjacent thereto.
said body segment is a separate part from said waist segments and said pair of leg segments thereon, said body segment further has a plurality of bendable tabs projecting therefrom which are each securely affixed to said waist segments adjacent thereto, said plurality of tabs extend from saidbody segment such that said aperture therein is in registry with said opening of said waist segments and is juxtapositioned centrally between said pair of legsegments adjacent thereto; and said waist segments are radially compressible toward each other between said plurality of tabs and said body segment slidably adjacent thereto.
7. The quick connector of Claim 6 wherein:
said body segment is located longitudinally adjacent to said waist segments on a surface opposite from said pair of leg segments extending therefrom.
said body segment is located longitudinally adjacent to said waist segments on a surface opposite from said pair of leg segments extending therefrom.
8. The quick connector of Claim 3 further comprising:
a second shoulder segment projecting from said third waist segment and a fourth waist segment adjacent thereto, said first and second shoulder segments projecting radially opposite from each other.
a second shoulder segment projecting from said third waist segment and a fourth waist segment adjacent thereto, said first and second shoulder segments projecting radially opposite from each other.
9. The quick connector of Claim 3 wherein:
said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment are joined together at a distal end of each thereof by a truss element therebetween.
said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment are joined together at a distal end of each thereof by a truss element therebetween.
10. The quick connector of Claim 2 wherein:
said shoulder segment is defined by a pair of flanges from which project a pair of side walls joined by a median wall, said shoulder segment has a distal edge thereto, said interface portion of said shoulder segment thereof is defined by a portion of said median wall and an opposing portion of each of said pair of flanges closest to said distal edge therenear.
said shoulder segment is defined by a pair of flanges from which project a pair of side walls joined by a median wall, said shoulder segment has a distal edge thereto, said interface portion of said shoulder segment thereof is defined by a portion of said median wall and an opposing portion of each of said pair of flanges closest to said distal edge therenear.
11. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
a cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit with a portion thereof proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst, said cover substantially preventing contaminants from entering said bore of said female receptacle thereof.
a cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit with a portion thereof proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst, said cover substantially preventing contaminants from entering said bore of said female receptacle thereof.
12. The quick connector of Claim 11 wherein said cover includes:
an annular hub section engagably surrounding a preselected portion of said male conduit, said hub section being longitudinally slidable therealong;
a cup section having an outer portion thereof, said cup section projecting outward from said hub therein;
an outer wall projecting from said outer portion of said cup section attached thereto, said outer wall being open toward said distal end of said male conduit thereof and having an inwardly turned lip therein, said inwardly turned lip being interlockably engagable with said female receptacle thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
an annular hub section engagably surrounding a preselected portion of said male conduit, said hub section being longitudinally slidable therealong;
a cup section having an outer portion thereof, said cup section projecting outward from said hub therein;
an outer wall projecting from said outer portion of said cup section attached thereto, said outer wall being open toward said distal end of said male conduit thereof and having an inwardly turned lip therein, said inwardly turned lip being interlockably engagable with said female receptacle thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
13. The quick connector of Claim 1 wherein:
a peripheral edge of said body segment has a smaller radial dimension than does said bore of said female receptacle.
a peripheral edge of said body segment has a smaller radial dimension than does said bore of said female receptacle.
14. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
an annular bulge radially formed around said male conduit against which said body segment is longitudinally positioned; and a bushing longitudinally displaced adjacent to said annular bulge of said male conduit such that said body segment is securely affixed longitudinally therebetween.
an annular bulge radially formed around said male conduit against which said body segment is longitudinally positioned; and a bushing longitudinally displaced adjacent to said annular bulge of said male conduit such that said body segment is securely affixed longitudinally therebetween.
15. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
a pair of bushings longitudinally displaced adjacent to each other around said male conduit therein with said body segment affixed longitudinally therebetween.
a pair of bushings longitudinally displaced adjacent to each other around said male conduit therein with said body segment affixed longitudinally therebetween.
16. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
a ferrule insertable within a distal end of said male conduit;
said body segment juxtapositioned longitudinally congruent with a predetermined portion of said ferrule internally therein; and said ferrule causing said male conduit therearound to radially expand thereabout so as to securely affix said inner edge surrounding said aperture of said body segment thereof to said male conduit captured therebetween.
a ferrule insertable within a distal end of said male conduit;
said body segment juxtapositioned longitudinally congruent with a predetermined portion of said ferrule internally therein; and said ferrule causing said male conduit therearound to radially expand thereabout so as to securely affix said inner edge surrounding said aperture of said body segment thereof to said male conduit captured therebetween.
17. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
means for sealing circumferentially surrounding said male conduit disposed inside said bore of said female receptacle, said sealing means preventing fluid from passing between an outside surface of said male conduit and said inside surface surrounding said bore of said female receptacle adjacent thereto.
means for sealing circumferentially surrounding said male conduit disposed inside said bore of said female receptacle, said sealing means preventing fluid from passing between an outside surface of said male conduit and said inside surface surrounding said bore of said female receptacle adjacent thereto.
18. The quick connector of Claim 1 further comprising:
a locking member having a finger extending therefrom insertable and removable between said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment, when inserted said locking member preventing said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment from being compressible toward one another and also preventing said pair of shoulder segments from compressing toward one another thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement of said quick connector from said female receptacle.
a locking member having a finger extending therefrom insertable and removable between said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment, when inserted said locking member preventing said pair of projecting elements of said leg segment from being compressible toward one another and also preventing said pair of shoulder segments from compressing toward one another thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement of said quick connector from said female receptacle.
19. A swivelable quick connector comprising:
a pair of shoulder segments projecting opposite from one another wlth each having an interface portion thereon;
a plurality of waist segments supporting said pair of shoulder segments attached thereto;
a body segment juxtapositioned centrally in relation to said pair of shoulder segments thereabout and longitudinally adjacent to said plurality of waist segments thereagainst, said body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound; and a pair of leg segments juxtapositioned between said pair of shoulder segments thereabout and being displaced clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said pair of leg segments each defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular from said plurality of waist segments attached thereto, said pair of leg segments located opposite from said body segment displaced therenear, said pair of projecting members of each of said pair of leg segments being at least partiallycompressible toward one another.
a pair of shoulder segments projecting opposite from one another wlth each having an interface portion thereon;
a plurality of waist segments supporting said pair of shoulder segments attached thereto;
a body segment juxtapositioned centrally in relation to said pair of shoulder segments thereabout and longitudinally adjacent to said plurality of waist segments thereagainst, said body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound; and a pair of leg segments juxtapositioned between said pair of shoulder segments thereabout and being displaced clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said pair of leg segments each defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular from said plurality of waist segments attached thereto, said pair of leg segments located opposite from said body segment displaced therenear, said pair of projecting members of each of said pair of leg segments being at least partiallycompressible toward one another.
20. A coupling system comprising:
a male conduit having a cylindrical shape thereto and a distal end thereof;
a female receptacle having a bore extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therearound, said female receptacle further having means for retaining therein, said distal end of said male conduit insertable within said bore of said female receptacle thereof; and a quick connector having radially compressible means for retaining and longitudinally rigid means for retaining, said longitudinally rigid means of said quick connector positioned around said male conduit a predetermined distance from said distal end thereof, a predetermined portion of said male conduit adjacent to said quick connector thereabout having radially expanded means for longitudinally securing said longitudinally rigid means of said quick connector thereto, said radially compressible means of said quick connector being removably attached to said retaining means of said female receptacle, said quick connector coupling said male conduit to said female receptacle.
a male conduit having a cylindrical shape thereto and a distal end thereof;
a female receptacle having a bore extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therearound, said female receptacle further having means for retaining therein, said distal end of said male conduit insertable within said bore of said female receptacle thereof; and a quick connector having radially compressible means for retaining and longitudinally rigid means for retaining, said longitudinally rigid means of said quick connector positioned around said male conduit a predetermined distance from said distal end thereof, a predetermined portion of said male conduit adjacent to said quick connector thereabout having radially expanded means for longitudinally securing said longitudinally rigid means of said quick connector thereto, said radially compressible means of said quick connector being removably attached to said retaining means of said female receptacle, said quick connector coupling said male conduit to said female receptacle.
21. The coupling system of Claim 20 wherein said radially compressible means of said quick connector includes:
a plurality of waist segments radially movable toward each other;
and means for urging said plurality of waist segments radially outward from each other.
a plurality of waist segments radially movable toward each other;
and means for urging said plurality of waist segments radially outward from each other.
22. The coupling system of Claim 21 wherein said longitudinally rigid means of said quick connector includes:
a body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said body segment slidably coupled to said pair of waist segments.
a body segment having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said body segment slidably coupled to said pair of waist segments.
23. The coupling system of Claim 21 wherein said urging means includes:
a leg segment attached to said plurality of waist segments, said leg segment defined by a pair of projecting elements coupled to each other and extending from said plurallty of waist segments.
a leg segment attached to said plurality of waist segments, said leg segment defined by a pair of projecting elements coupled to each other and extending from said plurallty of waist segments.
24. A coupling system for use in coupling a male conduit having a distal end thereof to a female receptacle, said female receptacle having a bore centrally extending therethrough defined by an inside surface, said female further having a retaining formation, said coupling systsm comprising:
a quick connector having a first segment thereof which securely engages said male conduit thereto, said quick connector further having a second segment thereof which is attachably engagable with said retaining formation of said female receptacle thereto; and a substantially flexible cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit external to said bore of said female receptacle, a predetermined portion of said substantially flexible cover being proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
a quick connector having a first segment thereof which securely engages said male conduit thereto, said quick connector further having a second segment thereof which is attachably engagable with said retaining formation of said female receptacle thereto; and a substantially flexible cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit external to said bore of said female receptacle, a predetermined portion of said substantially flexible cover being proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
25. A cover for use in substantially preventing contaminating particles from entering a bore within a female receptacle defined by an inside surface thereabout, a distal end of a male conduit insertable within said bore of said female receptacle, said cover comprising:
an annular hub section engagably surrounding a preselected portion of said male conduit, said hub section being longitudinally slidable therealong;
a substantially flexible cup section having an outer portion thereof, said cup section projecting outward from said hub section therein; and an outer wall projecting from said outer portion of said cup section attached thereto, said outer wall being open toward said distal end of said maleconduit thereof a portion of said outer wall being proximate with said female receptacle thereagainst thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
an annular hub section engagably surrounding a preselected portion of said male conduit, said hub section being longitudinally slidable therealong;
a substantially flexible cup section having an outer portion thereof, said cup section projecting outward from said hub section therein; and an outer wall projecting from said outer portion of said cup section attached thereto, said outer wall being open toward said distal end of said maleconduit thereof a portion of said outer wall being proximate with said female receptacle thereagainst thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
26. The cover of Claim 25 further comprising:
an inwardly turned lip projecting from said outer wall, said inwardly turned lip being interlockably engagable with said female receptacle thereagainst.
an inwardly turned lip projecting from said outer wall, said inwardly turned lip being interlockably engagable with said female receptacle thereagainst.
27. The cover of Claim 25 further comprising:
a quick connector disengagably coupling said male conduit within said bore of said female receptacle, said quick connector being longitudinally juxtapositioned along said male conduit between said cover and said distal end thereof.
a quick connector disengagably coupling said male conduit within said bore of said female receptacle, said quick connector being longitudinally juxtapositioned along said male conduit between said cover and said distal end thereof.
28. The cover of Claim 27 further comprising:
means for sealing fluid between said male conduit and said female receptacle adjacent thereto, said fluid sealing means longitudinally juxtapositioned along said male conduit between said quick connector and said distal end thereof, said fluid sealing means further located between an outside surface of said male conduit and said inside surface of said female receptacle surrounding said bore therewithin.
means for sealing fluid between said male conduit and said female receptacle adjacent thereto, said fluid sealing means longitudinally juxtapositioned along said male conduit between said quick connector and said distal end thereof, said fluid sealing means further located between an outside surface of said male conduit and said inside surface of said female receptacle surrounding said bore therewithin.
29. A connector used to couple a male conduit to a female receptacle, said female receptacle having a bore centrally extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therein, said connector comprising:
a radial member transmitting radially expansive retention forces while withstanding radial retention and removal forces to retain said connector to said female receptacle; and a body segment resisting longitudinal pull out forces to retain said connector to said male conduit.
a radial member transmitting radially expansive retention forces while withstanding radial retention and removal forces to retain said connector to said female receptacle; and a body segment resisting longitudinal pull out forces to retain said connector to said male conduit.
30. The connector of Claim 29 wherein said radial member is coupled to said body segment, said body segment has an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said body segment is positioned around said male conduit, a predetermined portion of said male conduit adjacent to said connector thereabout having radially expanded means for longitudinally securing said body segment of said connector thereto.
31. The connector of Claim 30 wherein said radial member includes:
a pair of waist segments each having an interior edge thereabout;
an interface portion mounted on each of said pair of waist segments which attachable engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
a pair of leg segments attached to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said pair of leg segments each defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular to said pair of waist segments such that each said leg segment is orientated substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto; and said pair of leg segments protruding through said bore of said female receptacle so as to be accessible from thereout, said interface portions insertable into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of projecting members of said leg segment to at least partially compress toward one another, said pair of leg segments further urging said interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle, said interface portions being disengagable from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting members of said pair of leg segments toward one another whereby said quick connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
a pair of waist segments each having an interior edge thereabout;
an interface portion mounted on each of said pair of waist segments which attachable engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
a pair of leg segments attached to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said pair of leg segments each defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending substantially perpendicular to said pair of waist segments such that each said leg segment is orientated substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto; and said pair of leg segments protruding through said bore of said female receptacle so as to be accessible from thereout, said interface portions insertable into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of projecting members of said leg segment to at least partially compress toward one another, said pair of leg segments further urging said interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle, said interface portions being disengagable from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting members of said pair of leg segments toward one another whereby said quick connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
32. The connector of Claim 29 further comprising:
a cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit and being interlockably engagable upon said female receptacle, said cover substantially preventing contaminants from entering said bore of said female receptacle thereof.
a cover surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit and being interlockably engagable upon said female receptacle, said cover substantially preventing contaminants from entering said bore of said female receptacle thereof.
33. A method of coupling a male conduit having a cylindrical shape thereto and a distal end thereof within a female receptacle having a bore extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therearound, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a connector having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound;
positioning said connector substantially around said male conduit;
inserting said connector and said male conduit into said female receptacle;
transmitting radially expansive retention forces through a first portion of said connector while withstanding radial retention and removal forcesbetween said male conduit and said female receptacle; and resisting longitudinal pull out forces through a second portion of said connector between said male conduit and said female receptacle.
providing a connector having an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound;
positioning said connector substantially around said male conduit;
inserting said connector and said male conduit into said female receptacle;
transmitting radially expansive retention forces through a first portion of said connector while withstanding radial retention and removal forcesbetween said male conduit and said female receptacle; and resisting longitudinal pull out forces through a second portion of said connector between said male conduit and said female receptacle.
34. The method according to Claim 33, wherein said step of resisting longitudinal pull out forces between said male conduit and said femalereceptacle includes the steps of:
expanding said second portion of said male conduit adjacent to said connector to longitudinally secure said connector to said male conduit;
and providing said connector with a peripheral edge having a smaller radial dimension than said bore of said female receptacle.
expanding said second portion of said male conduit adjacent to said connector to longitudinally secure said connector to said male conduit;
and providing said connector with a peripheral edge having a smaller radial dimension than said bore of said female receptacle.
35. The method according to Claim 33 wherein said step of transmitting radially expansive retention forces through said first portion of said connector while withstanding radial retention and removal forces between said male conduit and said female receptacle includes the steps of:
providing a pair of waist segments having an interior edge thereabout;
mounting a pair of interface portions on each of said pair of waist segments which attachable engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
attaching a pair of leg segments to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof;
defining each said leg segment by a pair of projecting elements each extending perpendicular to said pair of waist segments such that each said leg segment is orientated substantiaily parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto and is accessible from thereout;
inserting said interface portions into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of leg segments to at least partially compress toward one another;
urging said pair of interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle; and disengaging said interface portions from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting elements of said pair of leg segments toward one another whereby said connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
providing a pair of waist segments having an interior edge thereabout;
mounting a pair of interface portions on each of said pair of waist segments which attachable engage said female receptacle thereagainst;
attaching a pair of leg segments to said pair of waist segments clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof;
defining each said leg segment by a pair of projecting elements each extending perpendicular to said pair of waist segments such that each said leg segment is orientated substantiaily parallel with a longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto and is accessible from thereout;
inserting said interface portions into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing said pair of leg segments to at least partially compress toward one another;
urging said pair of interface portions radially outward so as to be engagably coupled within said female receptacle; and disengaging said interface portions from said female receptacle by at least partially compressing said projecting elements of said pair of leg segments toward one another whereby said connector can be longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176822A CA2176822A1 (en) | 1993-11-16 | 1993-11-16 | Quick connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176822A CA2176822A1 (en) | 1993-11-16 | 1993-11-16 | Quick connector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2176822A1 true CA2176822A1 (en) | 1995-05-26 |
Family
ID=4158218
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176822A Abandoned CA2176822A1 (en) | 1993-11-16 | 1993-11-16 | Quick connector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2176822A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2818780A1 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2014-12-31 | Airbus Helicopters | Removable coupling device between two flexible lines |
-
1993
- 1993-11-16 CA CA002176822A patent/CA2176822A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2818780A1 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2014-12-31 | Airbus Helicopters | Removable coupling device between two flexible lines |
| US9488301B2 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2016-11-08 | Airbus Helicopters | Removable coupling device for coupling together two flexible pipes |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |