KR200497939Y1 - Quick connector with verifier mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A quick connector coupling is provided for forming a separable connection between a male member and a female member in a fluid line. The quick connector coupling includes a connector body, retainer housing, retainer, and verifier. The verifier is slidable between an initial configuration and a proof configuration, the proof configuration indicating reliable retention of the coupling and the male member relative to the female member. This coupling allows operation from only one side, improving the packaging and design of fluid lines.

Description

Quick connector with verifier mechanism

The present invention relates generally to connectors for fluid lines, and in particular to quick connector couplings for forming a separable connection between a male member and a female member in a fluid line.

In automotive and other applications, quick connector couplings (typically comprising a male member received and sealably retained in a one-piece plastic or metal female connector body having a stem portion integrally formed with a retainer housing portion) are often used. Used to provide a fluid connection between two parts or conduits, forming a fluid line between the two parts. The use of quick connector couplings is advantageous in that sealed and secured fluid lines can be achieved with a minimal amount of time and cost.

Many methods and mechanisms exist for fastening the male member of a quick connector coupling and the female connector body together. Another type of retaining mechanism involves the use of a retainer in the form of a retaining clip that is inserted through a slot formed on the outside of the connector body. The beam extending through the slot is disposed between the male member upset and the rear surface defining the slot, preventing separation of the coupling. Because of the physical appearance of such retainers, they are referred to in the art as "horseshoe" retainers. An example of this type of retainer can be found in US Pat. No. 5,586,792 to Kalahasthy et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. The "horseshoe" retainer disclosed in the '792 patent allows for easy release of the coupling without significantly increasing the complexity of the coupling.

The Applicant believes that there may be packaging problems because the parts of the quick connector require access from multiple sides of the connector, for example from the top and bottom, or from the top and more than one side, in order to attach all the parts and connect the tubular members. I found that it was possible. The quick connector couplings of the present disclosure provide the advantage of requiring access from only one side (e.g., top, bottom, left or right) to operate the components of the coupling and connect fluid lines. Moreover, because the quick connector couplings of the present disclosure can be connected to male and female components in any radial direction, the quick connectors can be oriented to provide the most convenient access for the operator.

The present invention may include any of the following aspects in various combinations, and may also include any other aspects set forth in the description below or the appended claims.

In a first aspect, a quick connector coupling is provided for forming a separable connection between a male member and a female member in a fluid line. The male member has a protruding upset extending circumferentially around the exterior of the male member. The quick connector coupling includes a connector body, retainer housing, retainer, and verifier. The connector body defines a first through bore extending axially along a longitudinal axis from the male receiving end to the female receiving end. The retainer housing is connected to the connector body and defines a second through bore in communication with the first through bore. The retainer also defines a passageway in communication with the second through bore. The retainer releasably secures the male member within the first and second through bores of the connector body and retainer housing. The retainer is located inside the passageway of the retainer housing and includes a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs. The verifier is slidably connected to the connector body and includes a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms. The second pair of arms have latches that engage the retainer housing in the initial configuration of the quick connector coupling such that the verifier cannot slide relative to the connector body.

According to a further aspect, each of the first and second pairs of legs is sized and positioned such that it engages by upset and moves radially outward as the male member is inserted into the retainer housing. The second pair of legs of the retainer are configured such that when the second pair of legs moves outward, the second pair of arms move radially outward to disengage the latch from the retainer housing and permit sliding of the verifier relative to the retainer housing. and has a size and position relative to the second pair of arms of the verifier. In this way, the verifier can act as a redundant or auxiliary latch and also provides a visual indication that the male member is securely retained in the quick connector coupling and that the fluid line is formed by the female member.

According to a more detailed aspect, the quick connector coupling has an intermediate configuration in which the male member is inserted into the second through bore such that the first pair of legs is on the male side of the upset, and the second pair of legs moves radially outward. The upset is coupled to the second pair of legs so that the The quick connector coupling has a verification configuration in which the verifier has slid relative to the retainer housing and the second pair of arms have moved radially inward so that the latch engages the retainer housing. The first pair of arms in the verification configuration are sized and positioned to limit outward movement of the first pair of legs of the retainer such that the male member cannot be removed from the quick connector coupling. The passageway of the retainer housing includes a radially slotted opening, and the latch extends into the slot in its initial configuration. At least a portion of the second pair of legs protrudes into the slot. The verifier is axially slidable relative to the connector body and retainer housing, and the verifier slides axially between an initial configuration and a verification configuration.

According to another further detailed aspect, the latch is defined by a protrusion on each of the second pair of arms, the protrusion extending radially inward. The second pair of arms of the verifier extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the second pair of legs of the retainer extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first pair of arms of the verifier extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second pair of legs has an L-shape defined by the first portion and the second portion extending transversely from the first portion. The second portion of the second pair of legs is positioned to engage the second arm of the verifier, and the L-shaped first portion extends generally parallel to the first pair of retainer legs. The retainer is slidable within the passageway of the retainer housing for its insertion and removal.

In another aspect, a quick connector coupling is provided for forming a separable connection between a male member extending along a longitudinal axis in a fluid line and a female member, the male member having a protruding upset. The quick connector coupling includes a retainer housing, retainer and verifier. The retainer housing defines a through bore for receiving the male member and a passage communicating with the through bore. The retainer releasably secures a male member within a through bore of the retainer housing. The retainer is located inside the passageway of the retainer housing and includes a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs. The verifier is slidably connected to the retainer housing and includes a first pair of arms.

The quick connector coupling has an initial configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a verification configuration. In the initial configuration, a pair of arms of the verifier engage the retainer housing so that the verifier cannot slide relative to the retainer housing. In the intermediate configuration, the male member is positioned in the through bore such that the upset engages the second pair of legs and the second pair of legs is positioned radially outward to move the pair of arms out of engagement with the retainer housing. It moves outward and combines with a pair of arms. In the verification configuration, the verifier is slid relative to the retainer housing and the pair of arms is moved radially inwardly back such that the pair of arms engages the retainer housing.

In another aspect, a method is provided for connecting a tubular male member to a tubular female member along a longitudinal axis using a quick connector coupling to form a removable connection in a fluid line. This method,

Attaching the quick connector coupling as described above to the female member;

a) the upset engages and moves beyond the first pair of legs - as the upset moves between the first pair of legs the first pair of legs expands and then retracts - so that the male member is movement in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction is limited by the first pair of legs, and b) an upset engages the second pair of legs such that the second pair of legs moves radially outward. inserting the male member in a first axial direction into the through bore of a retainer housing so as to move into engagement with the pair of arms and thereby move the pair of arms radially outwardly out of engagement with the retainer housing; and

and sliding the verifier relative to the retainer housing such that a pair of arms moves radially inwardly back and engages the retainer housing to limit further axial movement of the verifier.

According to a more detailed aspect, the verifier comprises another pair of arms, and after the step of sliding the verifier, the other pair of arms is positioned on the first pair of legs of the retainer such that the male member cannot be removed from the quick connector coupling. Positioned to limit outward movement.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
1 is an exploded view of a quick connector coupling according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the quick connector coupling shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front view of a retainer forming part of the quick connector coupling of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a retainer housing forming part of the quick connector coupling shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a front view of a verifier forming part of the quick connector coupling shown in Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the verifier of Figure 6.
Figures 8-13 are partially cutaway top views showing operation of the quick connector assembly shown in Figure 1;
FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway front view showing the intermediate configuration of the quick connector coupling shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway front view showing the verification configuration of the quick connector coupling shown in FIG. 13.

All diagrams serve only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Although the drawings are generally drawn to scale, some features may not be to scale and serve to highlight specific details of various aspects of the invention. Common parts between different embodiments in the figures have common reference numbers. For clarity, it should be noted that the quick connector coupling 30 of the present disclosure is shown with its longitudinal extension position being within a horizontal plane and the terms "top" and "bottom" are used to describe the connector body. However, in use, the quick connector coupling 30 may be positioned in any orientation relative to the horizontal and vertical planes, thus "top," "bottom," "side," and "side" with respect to the drawings and illustrations herein. It is used.

The quick connector coupling 30 described herein provides access from only one side (e.g. top, bottom, left or right) to actuate components of the coupling (e.g. retainer and verifier) and connect fluid lines. You will see that it provides the advantage of requiring . Moreover, the quick connector couplings of the present disclosure can be connected to male and female components in any radial orientation, and the quick connectors can be oriented to provide the most convenient access for the operator. In this way, the packaging of the quick connector coupling is improved and the design of the fluid line is made more robust and variable in a variety of different environments. This coupling, whether pressurized or unpressurized, is used in many applications where a fluid-tight but releasable connection is required, such as fluid transfer systems or fuel filling piping arrangements.

1 and 2, a quick connector coupling 30 is used to form a separable connection between the male member 20 and the female member 22 in the fluid line. Male member 20 and female member 22 may be tubes, pipes, hoses, or other fluid transfer elements as known in the art. The tubular configuration of the male member 20 and the female member 22 generally defines a longitudinal axis LA, around which the quick connector coupling 30 is disposed. The male member 20 also includes a protruding upset 24 extending circumferentially around the exterior of the male member 20. This upset 24 may be formed integrally with the male member 20 during its manufacture to form a unitary structure, or it may be a separate part joined to the exterior of the male member 20 .

Quick connector coupling 30 generally includes a connector body 32, retainer housing 34, retainer 36, and verifier 38. As best seen in Figure 1, connector body 32 is a tubular member defining a stem 35 at the female end or female side of connector body 32. Stem 35 generally includes various ribs, ridges and grooves for connection to female member 22, but may take on a variety of configurations depending on the structure of female member 22. The male end 37 of the connector body 32 is structured to be connected to the retainer housing 34, for example by various slots, windows or other known structures for interconnecting two tubular elements. The female member 22 may be press fit to the stem 35, additional clamps, adhesives, etc. may be used, but other methods or structures for joining the two tubular elements may be used, such as spin welding or laser welding or other known methods. Welding techniques such as joining processes may be used. Connector body 32 generally defines a first through bore 42 extending from stem 35 at the female end to male end 37 and forming part of the fluid line.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, retainer housing 34 (Figure 5) and corresponding retainer 36 (Figures 3 and 4) are used to receive and retain male member 20. Retainer housing 34 generally defines a second through bore 44 in fluid communication with a first through bore 42 of connector body 32. Retainer housing 34 includes a passageway 46 extending generally from the exterior to the interior of the housing 34. The passage 46 is sized to accommodate the retainer 36 for engagement with the male member 20. The passage 46 thus generally comprises two passages extending vertically and laterally opposite each other, which passages are connected to the first pair of legs 52 and the second pair of legs of the retainer 36. It is to accommodate wealth (54). The passage 46 communicates with the through bore 44 so that the leg 52 of the retainer 36 can retain the male member 20 therein. The passageway 46 is also laterally open and defines a slot 48 external to the retainer housing 34 .

The retainer 36 generally includes a crossbar 50 having a first pair of legs 52 and a second pair of legs 54, both of which extend downwardly from the crossbar 50. It protrudes. In particular, the first pair of leg portions 52 includes one leg portion projecting from one end of the crossbar 50 and the other leg portion projecting from an opposite end of the crossbar 50, so that the leg portion (52) are laterally spaced apart from each other. Each of the first pair of legs 52 includes a catch or shoulder 53 formed at its downwardly free end, which engages a corresponding surface of the retainer housing 34 to allow the retainer 36 to This prevents upward movement of the retainer when fully seated in the retainer housing 34.

The first pair of legs 52 includes a chamfered surface 56 for receiving and engaging the upset 24 of the male member. This chamfered surface 56 is formed on the forward-facing surface of the first pair of legs 52 and slopes radially inward and axially rearwardly from the forward-facing surface of each leg. The inner edges of the first pair of legs 52 are spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding generally to the outer diameter of the male member 20, and the outer edges of the chamfered surfaces 56 are curved in shape, preferably semicircular. and are spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to the outer diameter of the upset 24 formed on the male member 20. The retainer 36 is formed of an elastic material, preferably molded from a thermoplastic material, so that the first pair of legs 52 as the male member 20 is inserted into the quick connector coupling 30 can be bent and deflected radially outward. That is, as the upset 24 slides along the chamfered surface 56, the upset 24 engages the chamfered surface 56 of the first pair of legs 52 and presses it laterally outward. . Additional details regarding the formation of the first pair of legs 52 and retainers 36, including alternative designs, can be found in U.S. Patents 7,484,774, 7,497,480 and 9,677,699, the entire contents of which are incorporated in their entirety. It is incorporated herein by reference.

The retainer 36 also includes a second pair of legs 54, laterally spaced apart from each other in a similar manner to the first pair of legs 52 and having a crossbar 50. It protrudes downward from. The second pair of legs 54 is located immediately behind the first pair of legs 52, that is, on the female side of the retainer 36. The second pair of legs 54 has a generally L-shape, comprising a first portion 58 projecting downwardly from the crossbar 50 and a second portion projecting laterally outwardly ( 60). The second pair of legs may have different shapes. As can be seen in Figure 3, the second portion 60 of the second pair of legs 54 protrudes laterally outwardly beyond the outer surface of the first pair of legs 52. The second pair of legs may have a different shape defining protrusions extending laterally outwardly, i.e. radially away from the longitudinal axis, for engaging a verifier as discussed further below. A portion of the inner surface of the second pair of legs 54 includes a chamfered area 61, similar to the chamfered area 56 of the first pair of legs 52, which is located at the edge of the male member. The position size is determined to be combined by upset (24). The inner edges of the second pair of legs 54 are spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the outer diameter of the male member 20 and less than the outer diameter of the upset 24, so that the male member 20 moves axially therethrough. When moving, the second pair of legs 54 are deflected outwardly away from the longitudinal axis LA.

5, the retainer housing 34 is defined by a generally annular body 62, which defines a through bore 44 and extends from the male side 66 to the female side 68. It is done. The male side 66 is a generally flat surface, and the female end 68 is formed with a tab for connection to an opening in the male end 37 of the connector body 32. Accordingly, the retainer housing 34 is attached to the connector body 32 to form an integral element. The retainer housing 34 and the connector body 32 are preferably formed separately from each other, so that the verifier 38 is positioned around the smooth cylindrical surface of the connector body 32 prior to interconnection of the retainer housing and the connector body. However, the retainer housing 34 may also be formed integrally with the connector body 32 as a single piece. Likewise, other techniques may be used to connect the annular body 62 to the connector body 32, such as adhesives, glues, and welding techniques such as spin welding or laser welding. As previously mentioned, the passageway 46 communicates with an outer lateral slot 48 formed in the annular body 62. In other words, the annular body 62 defines a semi-annular rim 63, which is longitudinally spaced away from the other semi-annular rim 65 so that passages 46 and slots 48 are between them. .

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the verifier 38 is defined by a generally annular body 70 defining a large hole 71 that fits around the cylindrical outer surface of the connecting body 32. The size is determined as much as possible. Due to the annular shape of the body 70, it can be gripped from one side of the quick connector coupling 30 corresponding to the retainer 36, so that only the necessary coupling 30 is physically removed from one side of the device. is accessed. At the same time, the annular body 70 can be gripped from any side of the coupling 30 as needed or desired. The verifier 38 is sized and structured to slide axially over the connecting body 32, which has one or more stops 33 positioned to limit axial movement toward the female member 22 (FIG. 1 reference) includes. The verifier 38 includes a first pair of arms 72 and a second pair of arms 74 axially projecting from the annular body 70 . The first pair of arms 72 are sized and structured to be fairly rigid and so do not flex significantly (eg, more than 10% from their central axis), but may also be structured to flex. The second pair of arms 74 are sized and structured so that they can bend laterally, ie radially about the longitudinal axis LA. One skilled in the art will readily be able to ascertain the material and thickness of the first and second arms 72, 74 to provide these features.

The second pair of arms 74 generally includes latches 78 formed at their ends. This latch 78 extends generally radially inward from the plane of the second pair of arms 74. As described further herein, the latch 74 is sized and structured to engage the retainer housing 34 and in particular the peripheral rims 63, 65. 5, the peripheral rim 63 on the male side 66 of the retainer housing 34 engages with the latches 78 of the second pair of arms 74 of the verifier 38 for engaging therewith. and latch surfaces 67 that are matched in size and location. The verifier 38 also includes a beam 76 formed at its bottom end, which beam can be slidable into a slot 69 formed in the bottom surface of the annular member 62 of the retainer housing 34. is accepted (see Figures 5 and 7). The beam 76 cooperates with the slot 69 to guide the axial sliding movement of the verifier 38 over the connection body 32 and relative to the retainer housing 34 .

Referring back to Figure 1, assembly of quick connector coupling 30 involves placing verifier 38 over the outer cylindrical surface of connection body 32 and inserting male end 37 of connection body 32 into retainer housing. and connecting to the female end (68) of (34). The retainer 36 slides transversely about the longitudinal axis LA into the retainer housing 34 so that the first and second pairs of legs 52, 54 are in the passageway 46 and the slot. Pass through (48). The slots 48 are structured to allow the second pair of arms 54 to be exposed to the outside. As explained below, the second pair of arms 74 of the verifier 38 are radially aligned with the second pair of legs 54 of the retainer 36, so that the second pair of legs 54 of the retainer 36 (54) protrudes through the slot (48) and engages the second pair of arms (74). The stem 35 of the connecting body 32 may be connected to the female member 22 in a generally permanent manner by methods known to those skilled in the art.

The operation of the quick connector coupling 30 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15. As shown in Figure 8, the connector body 32, retainer housing 34, retainer 36, and verifier 38 are all connected together as described above. To complete the fluid line, the male member 22 is inserted axially into the quick connector coupling 30, in particular into the through bores 42, 44 defined therein. As shown in FIG. 9 , as the male member passes through bore 44 and enters second through bore 42, upset 24 causes an upset of first leg 52 of retainer 36. It engages the chamfered surface (56). As seen in FIG. 10 , with further axial movement the upset 24 causes the first pair of legs 52 to be deflected laterally outwards in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the upset 24 is movable axially beyond the first pair of legs 52 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , as the male member 20 continues to move axially, the upset 24 engages the chamfered surface 61 of the second pair of legs 54 . In this way, the second pair of legs 54 are moved laterally outward. The verifier 38 is initially positioned toward the female member 22 (i.e., upward in the plane of Figure 8), with the second pair of arms 74 extending axially to engage the retainer housing 34. . In particular, the latches 78 of the second pair of arms 74 fit into a lateral slot 48 around a rim 65 formed by the annular body 62 of the retainer housing 34. The free end surface of the latch 78 and thus the second pair of arms 74 are retained in the slot 48, preventing axial sliding movement of the verifier 38.

The end surfaces of the latches 78 (and thus the second pair of arms 74) engage the outer surfaces of the second pair of legs 54 within the slots 48. Outward movement of the second pair of legs 54 (due to the upset 24 of the male member 20) causes the second pair of arms 74 and their latches 78 to correspondingly move laterally outward. moves to The relative sizes of the upset 24, the second pair of legs 54 (and in particular the lateral width of the second portion 60) and the lateral width of the latches 78 of the second pair of arms 74 are , the latch 78 is arranged to be free from the lateral slot 48 and the peripheral rim 65 of the retainer housing 34 . This can also be seen in the front view of FIG. 14 , in which the upset 24 of the male member 20 has pressed the second pair of legs 54 laterally outwards, thereby causing the second pair of arms 74 and its latches 78 move laterally outwardly beyond the lateral extension of the outer surface of the annular member 62 defining the retainer housing 34 .

11 , the rear wall of the annular body 62 adjacent the female end 68 and the peripheral rim 65 prevents the male member 20 from moving further axially toward the female member 22. prevent. That is, when the male member 20 is fully inserted into the through bores 42 and 44 of the quick connector coupling 30, the annular upset 24 engages the second pair of legs 54 and rotates them in the radial direction. Keep it biased outward.

In this way, when the male member 20 is inserted in the step shown in FIG. 11, the verifier 38 will slide axially toward the male member 20 (down from the ground) as shown in FIG. 12. You can. The latch 78 can thus slide along the outer surface of the retainer housing 34 until it reaches the axial surface of the annular member 62 on the male side 66.

As can be seen in Figure 13, the second pair of arms 74 are then naturally biased laterally inwardly (radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis LA), so that the latch 78 is aligned with the annular body ( Wrapping around the male end surface 66 of 62 again prevents or limits axial sliding of the verifier 38. Figure 15 shows a front view of the second pair of arms 74 and their latches 78, again moved laterally inward and engaged with the retainer housing 34.

As can be seen in Figure 13, the first pair of arms 72 of the verifier 38 have reached a point where they axially overlap the first pair of legs 52 of the verifier 36. In this way, the first pair of legs 52 are caught on the male side (down from the ground) of the upset 24, such that the male member 20 is axially retracted or removed from the quick connector coupling 30. prevent it from happening. The first pair of arms 72 are preferably rigidly formed, but the annular body 62 of the retainer housing 34 engages and supports the first pair of arms 72, thereby forming the first pair of arms 72. Prevents outward deflection of the leg portions 52 of the pair.

For disengagement, the second pair of arms 74 and their latches 78 are manually pressed laterally and radially outward to disengage the latches 78 from the mating surface 67 in the retainer housing 34. should be free, so that the verifier 38 can be slid back towards the female member 22 (from the ground upward). Even then, the first pair of legs 52 of the retainer 36 will generally prevent withdrawal of the male member 20 until the verifier moves axially, so that the first pair of legs 52 of the retainer 36 52) must be manually pressed radially outward to free the male member. In this way, the verifier 38 also serves as a spare or auxiliary latch for the quick connector coupling 30 forming a fluid line between the male member 20 and the female member 22.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the present invention is given for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Many modifications or changes are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed have been selected and described to provide the best explanation of the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications appropriate to the particular use contemplated. will be. All such modifications and changes are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when construed in accordance with the scope fairly, legally, and equitably afforded.

Claims (20)

A quick connector coupling for forming a separable connection between a male member and a female member in a fluid line, the male member having a protruding upset extending circumferentially around the exterior of the male member, the quick connector The coupling is,
a connector body defining a first through bore extending axially along a longitudinal axis from the male receiving end to the female receiving end;
a retainer housing connected to the connector body, defining a second through bore in communication with the first through bore, and defining a passage in communication with the second through bore;
for releasably securing the male member within first and second through bores of the connector body and the retainer housing, located within a passageway of the retainer housing, and comprising a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs; A retainer including the leg portion of; and
a verifier slidably connected to the connector body and including a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms;
the second pair of arms have latches that engage the retainer housing in the initial configuration of the quick connector coupling such that the verifier cannot slide relative to the connector body;
Each of the first and second pairs of legs has a size and position such that they are engaged by the upset and move radially outward as the male member is inserted into the retainer housing,
The second pair of legs of the retainer are configured such that when the second pair of legs moves outward, the second pair of arms move radially outward to disengage the latch from the retainer housing and permit sliding of the verifier relative to the retainer housing. , a quick connector coupling sized and positioned relative to the second pair of arms of the verifier. According to claim 1,
The quick connector coupling has an intermediate configuration in which a male member is inserted into a second through bore such that the first pair of leg portions are on the male side of the upset, and the upset is configured to move the second pair of leg portions radially outward. Quick connector coupling that mates with two pairs of legs. According to claim 1,
The quick connector coupling has a verification configuration wherein the verification device is slid relative to the retainer housing and the second pair of arms are moved radially inward so that the latch engages the retainer housing. According to claim 1,
A quick connector coupling, wherein in the verification configuration the first pair of arms are sized and positioned to limit outward movement of the first pair of legs of the retainer such that the male member cannot be removed from the quick connector coupling. According to claim 1,
A quick connector coupling, wherein the passageway of the retainer housing radially includes a slot opening, and the latch extends into the slot in the initial configuration. According to claim 5,
A quick connector coupling, wherein at least a portion of the second pair of legs protrudes into the slot. According to claim 1,
A quick connector coupling, wherein the verifier is axially slidable relative to the connector body and retainer housing, and the verifier slides axially between the initial configuration and the verification configuration. According to claim 1,
The quick connector coupling of claim 1, wherein the latch is defined by a protrusion on each of the second pair of arms, the protrusion extending radially inward. According to claim 1,
a quick connector coupling, wherein the second pair of arms of the verifier extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the second pair of legs of the retainer extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. . According to clause 9,
A quick connector coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of arms of the verifier extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. According to claim 1,
A quick connector coupling, wherein the second pair of legs has an L-shape defined by a first portion and a second portion extending transversely from the first portion. According to claim 11,
A quick connector coupling, wherein a second portion of the second pair of legs is positioned to engage a second arm of the verifier. According to claim 11,
wherein the L-shaped first portion extends generally parallel to the first pair of retainer legs. According to claim 1,
A quick connector coupling, wherein the retainer is slidable within a passage of the retainer housing. A quick connector coupling for forming a separable connection between a male member and a female member extending along a longitudinal axis in a fluid line, the male member having a protruding upset, the quick connector coupling comprising:
a retainer housing defining a through bore for receiving the male member and a passage communicating with the through bore;
a retainer for releasably securing the male member within a through bore of the retainer housing, the retainer positioned within a passage of the retainer housing, the retainer including a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs; and
a verifier slidably connected to the retainer housing and including a first pair of arms;
The quick connector coupling has an initial configuration in which a pair of arms of the verifier engages the retainer housing so that the verifier cannot slide relative to the retainer housing,
The quick connector coupling has an intermediate configuration, in which the male member is positioned in the through bore such that the upset engages the second pair of legs and the pair of arms is brought out of engagement with the retainer housing. The second pair of legs moves radially outward and engages the pair of arms so as to move radially outward,
The quick connector coupling has a verification configuration in which the verification device slides relative to the retainer housing and the pair of arms moves radially inwardly backwards such that the pair of arms engages the retainer housing. According to claim 15,
a second pair of legs of the retainer such that when the second pair of legs moves outward, the pair of arms moves radially outward to disengage the latch from the retainer housing and permit sliding of the verifier relative to the retainer housing, A quick connector coupling sized and positioned relative to the pair of arms of the verifier. According to claim 15,
The verification device includes two pairs of arms, and the pair of arms coupled to the second pair of legs is the second pair of arms, and in the verification configuration, the first pair of arms has a male member connected to a quick connector coupling. A quick connector coupling sized and positioned to limit outward movement of the first pair of legs of the retainer such that they cannot be removed from. According to claim 15,
A quick connector coupling, wherein the verifier is axially slidable relative to the retainer housing, and the verifier slides axially between the initial configuration and the verification configuration. A method of connecting a tubular male member to a tubular female member along a longitudinal axis using a quick connector coupling to form a removable connection in a fluid line, the male member having a protruding upset, the method comprising:
Attaching a quick connector coupling to a female member - the quick connector coupling includes:
a retainer housing defining a through bore for receiving the male member and a passage communicating with the through bore;
a retainer for releasably securing the male member within a through bore of the retainer housing, the retainer positioned within a passage of the retainer housing, the retainer including a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs; and
It has a verifier slidably connected to the retainer housing,
the verifier includes a pair of arms engaged with the retainer housing such that the verifier cannot slide relative to the retainer housing;
a) the upset engages and moves beyond the first pair of legs - as the upset moves between the first pair of legs, the first pair of legs expands and then retracts - thus, the male member is limited by the first pair of legs to move in a second axis direction opposite to the first axis, and b) the upset engages the second pair of legs so that the second pair of legs has a radius Inserting the male member in a first axial direction into the through bore of the retainer housing such that the pair of arms moves radially outward to engage the pair of arms and thereby move the pair of arms radially outwardly out of engagement with the retainer housing. steps; and
Sliding the verifier relative to the retainer housing such that a pair of arms move radially inwardly backward and engage the retainer housing to limit further axial movement of the verifier. method. According to claim 19,
The verifier includes another pair of arms, and after sliding the verifier, the other pair of arms is configured to limit outward movement of the first pair of legs of the retainer such that the male member cannot be removed from the quick connector coupling. How to be located.