Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Patent
1994-09-14
1997-04-22
Hughes, S. Thomas
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
29451, 138109, B23P 1100
Patent
active
056219598
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bead assemblies, and more particularly, to bead assemblies which are attachable to tubular conduits and which provide the conduits with blocking walls for abutment by connector assemblies.
2. Description of Related Art
In the automotive industry, as well as for many other industries, the need always exist for low cost, reliable and easy to assembly components. This need is especially true with respect to connector assemblies which detachably join fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel or refrigerant lines. Presently, many connector assemblies, and more particularly, many quick connector assemblies, are manufactured such that a male conduit is provided with an outwardly projecting bead for abutment by retainer means contained within a female housing. The connection between fluid conveying conduits is generally made by inserting the male conduit into the female housing until the snap connection occurs thereby locking the male conduit within the female housing. Many times, however, tubular conduits already placed in use are not provided with this upwardly projecting bead member. Standard beadless conduits must, therefore, be provided with a bead member before they can be utilized with many connector assemblies. The embodiments of the present invention fulfill this need by providing apparatuses which are attachable to standard tubular conduits thereby converting the standard conduit to a form which can be utilized with connector assemblies and, more particularly, with quick connector assemblies.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a standard conduit with an attachable bead member thereby adapting the conduit into one that can be utilized with a connector assembly and, particularly, with a quick connector assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachable bead assembly which can be attached to a tubular conduit quickly and easily.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide attachable bead assemblies which can be used on tubular conduits which are resistant to welding and gluing.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide bead assemblies which are producible at a low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing objects of the present invention, bead assemblies for attachment to fluid conveying conduits are provided which assist in facilitating the connection of two or more fluid conveying conduits. A first bead assembly embodiment generally comprises an open ended ring member having an outer surface, an inner surface and two flanges which extend downwardly toward the center of the ring member. The ring member is formed of a resilient material which allows the ring member to be pried open and positioned upon the conduit. Once the ring member is positioned over the conduit, the prying tool is disengaged from the ring member allowing the ring member to spring back into a substantially closed position. The ends of the inwardly extending flanges are embedded in the outer surface of the tubular conduit to prevent lateral movement of the ring member once positioned over the conduit. The flanges provide blocking walls which assist in locking a female housing over the conduit.
A second bead assembly embodiment generally comprises an open ended ring member having an outer surface, an inner surface and two flanges which extend upwardly away from the center of the ring member. Again, the ring member is formed of a resilient material which allows the ring member to be pried open and positioned upon the conduit. The outwardly extending flanges of this second embodiment provide abutment surfaces which assist in locking a female housing over the conduit.
In both embodiments, the ring member is constructed so as to return to a closed position after being positioned upon the conduit. The engagement force of the ring member is limited by design. The ring members can only close to the point where the two ends come into abutment. The ring me
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Hughes S. Thomas
Proprietary Technology, Inc.
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