GB2265953A - A fluid line connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector for a plurality of fluid lines (6, 7) comprising first and second co-operating parts (2a, 2b) and means (jaw 3) for holding the first and second parts together. A plurality of intercommunicating ports (15a, 15b) are provided between the opposed mating surfaces of the first and second parts and the release force required to connect/disconnect the connector is independent of the number of intercommunicating ports (15a, 15b) connected. The jaw 3 is spring biased. The connector allows a single-handed operation. The jaw may be released by a latch 13 flush with the surface of one of the cooperating parts 12b. Other embodiments have been described. <IMAGE>

Description

A FLUID LINE CONNECTOR The present invention relates to a fluid line connector, in particular, a fluid line connector which enables multiple interconnections.

Connectors of the type which connect a single fluid line to a chosen supply point are already known. These connectors typically comprise male and female interconnecting parts. However, difficulties are encountered when several fluid lines must be connected to a single supply point, for example, when an air pump must be connected to an inflatable mattress of the alternating pressure type. In this situation, a plurality of connectors between the various hoses and connection points on the air pump casing must be made. The disadvantages with this arrangement are that connection and disconnection of the various hoses can prove difficult for nursing staff, there is a danger of accidental disconnection or misconnection and the connection/disconnection forces are high.There is, therefore, a demand for a connector which enables quick and easy connection and disconnection of all the hoses in a single operation (preferably a single-handed operation). It is important that the forces are low, since in a traditional multi-way connector the application force can exceed the weight of the equipment.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector for a plurality of fluid lines comprising first and second co-operating parts and means for holding the first and second parts together, a plurality of intercommunicating ports being provided between the opposed mating surfaces of the first and second parts, wherein the release force required to connect/disconnect the connector is independent of the number of intercommunicating ports connected.

Preferably, the connector allows single-handed operation.

Preferably, one co-operating part can pivot about a point on the other co-operating part so as to provide leverage.

Preferably, the holding means comprises a releasable snap fit arrangement.

Preferably, the holding means comprises a portion on one of the parts which is moveable from a first position in which it engages the other part to a second position which allows release of the other part.

Preferably, the holding means comprises a pivotable portion.

Preferably, the holding means is spring biasedd Preferably, the holding means further comprises a protective shroud to prevent unintentional release.

Preferably, a resilient gasket is provided between the mating surfaces of the first and second parts.

Preferably, the gasket has one or more holes therethrough.

Preferably, the gasket can seal one or more of the intercommunicating ports.

Preferably, the first and second parts have co-operating recesses and projections.

Preferably, the recesses and projections are arranged such that connection of the first and second parts after rotation of one part by 1800 will still be possible.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of a fluid line connector in cross-section; Figure 2 depicts how the two parts of the connector in Figure 1 are connected; Figures 3a and 3b depict two preferred configurations in plan view of the resilient gasket depicted in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a fluid line connector; Figures 5 and 6 depict variations on the release mechanism in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a resilient gasket in position on one face of the connector in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a view partial cross-section from above of the connector in Figure 1; Figure 9 depicts in an exploded manner, a variation on the gasket in Figure 7;; Figure 10 depicts the gasket in Figure 9 when assembled; Figure 11 depicts a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 depicts a connector generally indicated at 1 which allows multiple interconnections of fluid lines. The connector 1 comprises first and second co-operating parts 2a and 2b. The first and second parts 2a, 2b are held together by a moveable jaw 3 which is pivoted to part 2b at 4. Located between the first and second parts 2a, 2b is a resilient gasket 5 which, in this embodiment, is attached to part 2b. Multiple fluid lines 6 and 7 are connected to parts 2a and 2b respectively. Communicating fluid ports 15a and 15b pass through parts 2a and 2b respectively Figure 2 indicates how the pivoted jaw 3 operates. When the parts 2a and 2b are assembled the flanged portion 8 of part 2b should be hooked over the shoulder portion 9 of part 2a. The part 2b can then be pivoted about shoulder 9 by applying a levering action as indicated by arrow L.This will cause jaw 3 to pivot about point 4 upon contact with part 2a and allow parts 2a and 2b to co-operate. The jaw 3 should be spring loaded so that it snaps around shoulder 9 and compresses gasket 5 to form a fluid tight seal. The connector could be released by manual operation of jaw 3.

Figures 3a and 3b depict two embodiments of a resilient gasket 5 which could be used in the connector in Figure 1. Both embodiments allow the connection of a plurality of fluid lines within a small area. It is envisaged that selected ports in the parts 2a and 2b could be blocked off by a suitably designed gasket.

Figure 4 depicts a second preferred embodiment of a connector for multiple fluid line connections.

The connector, generally indicated at 11, comprises first and second co-operating parts 12a and 12b. The first and second parts are held together by a spring loaded jaw 12c which is connected to part 12b. The jaw 12c can be activated by pressing a release latch 13 which moves jaw 12c away from part 12b. Part 12a has a shoulder 19 which has a recess 14 in opposing sides of its mating face. Part 12b is provided with a flange 18 which has a projection (not shown) for co-operation with recess 14. The jaw 12c will also have a similar projection (not shown). The recesses and projections on parts 12a, 12b and jaw 12c can be arranged such to ensure only selective interconnection of co-operating parts.Preferably, the recesses and projections should be arranged such that connection will still be possible if one of the parts 12a or 12b is rotated through 1800 The latch 13 is constructed such that it is flush with the surface of part 12b in order to guard against inadvertent release. The latch 13 will also be suitably contoured and coloured to indicate its function. There are four intercommunicating ports 15 in part 2a which co-operate with fluid lines 17 in part 2b. Clearly, the connector can be adapted to connect any number of intercommunicating ports.

Figure 5 is a variation on the arrangement in Figure 4. In this case, part 12b and jaw 12c are of a different construction. The latch 13 is connected to jaw 12c by a spring loaded mechanism 20 (as in Figure 4) such that depression of the latch 13 will move jaw 12c away from part 12b to release part 12a (not shown).

Figure 6 depicts a further variation of the arrangement in Figure 4. In this case, jaw 12c comprises a pair of legs connected by a bar 23 carrying a release latch 13. The jaw 12c fits in a recess 24 in part 12b and is spring loaded by a pair of springs 21.

Figure 7 shows a resilient gasket 5 in position on part 2a (it is also possible to fix the gasket 5 onto part 2b as in Figure 1). The gasket 5 is secured to part 2a by a pair of fixing screws 26 in fixing plates 25.

Figure 8 shows in partial cross-section how the part 2a in Figure 7 would be connected to part 2b and the relationship of the intercommunicating ports 27 and 28. There is a raised ridge 29 on part 2b which acts to compress the gasket 5 and improve the fluid seal when parts 2a and 2b are connected.

Figure 9 is a variation on Figure 7. In this embodiment, the resilient gasket 5 is held between part 2a and a back panel 30. Back panel 30 and gasket 5 are provided with an identical arrangement of ports 15. Figure 9 depicts the back panel 30, gasket 5 and part 2a in an exploded view and Figure 10 depicts the parts when assembled, the back panel 30 and part 2a being held together by four screws 31.

Figure 11 depicts a further embodiment of the present invention in which the parts in Figures 9 and 10 are connected to part 32b. Part 32b is a variation on part 12b in Figure 6 and Figure 4 A jaw 32c can move to locate part 32b on part 2a. Part 32b is provided with a raised edge 29 and a number of ports 28. Part 2a is similarly provided with interconnecting ports 27.

Preferably, the release mechanism for the jaw should be shrouded or provided with a means for preventing accidental operation during inadvertent handling.

Thus, it can be seen that the fluid line connector in accordance with the present invention allows for multiple line connections within a relatively small cross-sectional area. Further advantages are that little force is required to connect/disconnect the connector and the connection/disconnection is rapid and achieved by use of a single-hand.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. A connector for a plurality of fluid lines comprising first and second co-operating parts and means for holding the first and second parts together, a plurality of intercommunicating ports being provided between the opposed mating surfaces of the first and second parts, wherein the release force required to connect/disconnect the connector is independent of the number of intercommunicating ports connected.

2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, which allows single-handed operation.

3. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein one co-operating part can pivot about a point on the other co-operating part so as to provide leverage.

4. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding means comprises a releasable snap-fit arrangement.

5. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding means comprises a portion on one of the parts which is moveable from a first position in which it engages the other part to a second position which allows release of the other part.

6. A connector as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the holding means comprises a pivotable portion.

7. A connector as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the holding means is spring-biased.

8. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding means further comprises a protective shroud to prevent unintentional release.

9. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a resilient gasket is provided between the mating surfaces of the first and second parts.

10. A connector as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the gasket has one or more holes therethrough.

11. A connector as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the gasket can seal one or more of the intercommunicating ports.

12. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts have co-operating recesses and projections.

13. A connector as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the recesses and projections are arranged such that connection of the first and second parts after rotation of one part by 1800 will still be possible.

14. A connector for fluid substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.